THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is eyeing the reintegration into society of some 32,000 former rebels in Mindanao this year, Social Welfare Undersecretary Alan Tanjusay said over the weekend.
Tanjusay said the reintegration would be part of the DSWD’s Social Case Management Service (SCMS) for former members of non-state armed groups (FMNSAGs) or rebels, which will be pilot tested in parts of Regions 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula), 10 (Northern Mindanao), 12 (Soccsksargen), and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
“The social case management service is focused on guiding and focusing on the rebels, all throughout the entire time since they surrendered. So, DSWD will help them and focus on them until they are reintegrated into their community, into their family, that’s what’s important,” he said.
Tanjusay said under SCMS, the case managers who are DSWD social workers and development workers will conduct needs assessments of the FMNSAs, followed by formulating appropriate interventions to help address their needs and eventually improve their lives.
The case managers would also assist the former rebels in accessing the social protection programs, livelihood opportunities, and other relevant government services aligned with their specific needs.
The PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and barangay local government units would also assist the DSWD in verifying and assessing the identities of FMNSAGs.
Tanjusay said the former rebels, along with their families, may avail of psychosocial intervention, receive cash aid under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) Program or seed capital under the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), among others.
He said that if the interventions needed by former rebels are not within the scope of the DSWD, the agency would refer the FMNSAGs to other concerned line agencies.
