Negros Occidental unveils first halfway house for ex-NPA rebels
The provincial government of Negros Occidental has inaugurated 'Balay Pagbag-o,' a halfway house designed to support former New People’s Army rebels. The facility provides psychosocial support and livelihood training to assist in the reintegration of former combatants into society.
Why it matters
Reintegration programs are essential for long-term peace-building efforts in regions affected by internal armed conflict.
BACOLOD CITY – The provincial government of Negros Occidental has opened its first halfway house for former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Barangay Sta. Rosa, Murcia, as part of efforts to support their reintegration into mainstream society.
The facility, named Balay Pagbag-o, was formally blessed and inaugurated on Wednesday, Aug.t 19, by Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson; Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Negros Occidental provincial director and concurrent officer-in-charge assistant Negros Island Region (NIR) director Teodora Sumagaysay; Brig. Gen. Ted Dumosmog of the Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade; Police Col. Dennis Wenceslao, Negros Occidental police director; Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Chiqui Gonzales; and NIR Federation of Peace Advocates President Egan Dañoso.
The halfway house will provide returning rebels with psychosocial interventions, livelihood training, and other programs for several weeks or months to help them rebuild their lives and prepare for a peaceful and productive future.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in