CAMP AQUINO, Tarlac City -- An organization of former members and supporters of the Communist Terrorist Group in Hacienda Luisita, Tarlac, was finally granted a certificate of registration from the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), report said Saturday, Feb. 25. The Malayang Magbubukid sa Asyenda Luisita Agriculture Cooperative (MALAYA), was awarded certificate of registration on Feb. 17, 2023, at the CDA Regional Office in Pampanga. The Northern Luzon Command, Armed Forces of the Philippines (NOLCOM, AFP) supervised the group during the process of their registration with CDA. The Nolcom-AFP also helped the group in its successful reintegration into mainstream society through the government’s whole-of-nation approach and assisting its members in accessing government programs and projects. “Masaya po kami ng aking mga kasama sa MALAYA, dahil sa wakas dito na mababago ang buhay namin patungo sa maginhawang pamumuhay” said Florida ‘Ka Pong’ Sibayan, chairperson of MALAYA. The group promised that they will do their best in the opportunity given by the government. Meanwhile, the Cooperative Development Authority Region 3, Officer in Charge, Nelson Evangelista, said that the registration of MALAYA as a cooperative is one of the proofs that CDA is accomplishing its share in the interagency task with regard to Executive Order No.70 or the whole of Nation Approach to End Local Communist Armed Conflict. The group is engaged in a livelihood enterprise, operating an agriculture store in Barangay Ungot, Tarlac City, Tarlac. The group members said they are grateful that they received several government assistance and support since their organization in 2018 through the Northern Luzon Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The group has a total of 325 active members who have gone through several community-based training sessions from the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority, Tarlac. These members are now selling products and yielding outputs from the skills training they have attended, including liquid dishwashing soap making, chili paste making and food processing. NOLCOM AFP is currently assisting the MALAYA Cooperative in their enrollment in the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).