TARLAC -- The government’s whole-of-nation approach to end local communist armed conflict is yielding results while continuously providing livelihood opportunities to former rebels.
The said government program aims to establish a peaceful environment conducive to economic development.
Enlightened by the Communist Terrorist Group’s deception and manipulations, peasants who were former members of the defunct Alyansa ng Magbubukid ng Asyenda Luisita (AMBALA) have reorganized themselves and formed a cooperative called the Malayang Magsasaka ng Asyenda Luisita (MALAYA).
This established cooperative will soon benefit from the livelihood opportunities provided by the government.
With the theme ‘Kooperatiba Hatid ay Bagong Pag-asa at Simula Para sa MALAYA,’ the government officials of the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict 3, along with the Local Government Unit of Tarlac City and the Northern Luzon Command, Armed Forces of the Philippines, led the groundbreaking ceremony of the MALAYA Cooperative Store in Barangay Ungot, Tarlac City on Monday, Oct. 24.
The cooperative store will be constructed with the help of the 522nd Engineers and Construction Brigade of the Philippine Army (Central Luzon Builders). The store is expected to be completed soon.
The Malaya members will earn income from the cooperative store which will sell agricultural inputs.
Malaya chairwoman Florida ‘Ka Pong’ Sibayan, and the cooperative members expressed their gratitude to the government for the assistance.
She assured continuous support in all the government’s peace and development efforts.
She also stressed that with the government's support for the Farmers, the CTG had no place in Hacienda Luisita.
The former rebels declared themselves free from the influence and manipulations of the CTG, leading them to collectively call themselves Malaya.
"Kapit-bisig tayo, kapag may dumating na CPP-NPA itaboy natin, at patuloy tayong babangon na mga magsasaka para sa taong bayan,” said Ka Pong.
Meanwhile, government authorities emphasized their support for MALAYA's continuous growth and progress.
The assistance/livelihood provided to Malaya exemplifies the collaboration among the RTF-ELCAC agencies in Central Luzon and the Northern Luzon Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
(Liezle Basa Inigo)