ARMM intensifies reintegration program to combat terrorism

Isabela City, Basilan (November 8, 2018) – “Malaking tulong po talaga ang proyekto ng PAVE sa amin dahil nagkaroon na po kami ng pangkabuhayan at magkakaroon na ng sariling bahay,” Leizel Arelon, a mother of two and one of the housing and livelihood project beneficiaries in Barangay Tubigan in the town of Maluso said.

Arelon’s family is among the survivors of the August 2017 massacre perpetrated by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Barangay Tubigan. Houses were intentionally burned and people died during the massacre.

The reintegration program under the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), dubbed Program Against Violent Extremism (PAVE), is designed to provide opportunities to ASG members who surrendered and returned to the fold of law to become productive members of society and to assist the communities destroyed by the conflict.

John Louie Balagot, ARMM’s cabinet secretary and PAVE program manager emphasized that helping the ASG returnees is just one part of the reintegration program because the ARMM government is also doing engagements to affected communities especially youth and women sectors, which have important roles in preventing terrorism.

“Isa din sa pinaka-objective ng program ay magkaroon ng reconciliation and healing process between the victims and the ASG returnees,” Sec. Balagot said. The communities who were affected by the massacre in 2017 received housing and livelihood projects.

They are also recipients of the ARMM’s Bangsamoro Regional Inclusive Development with Growth and Equity food distribution program. The ARMM’s Health Education Livelihood Peace and Governance and Synergy program, meanwhile, constructed infrastructure projects in the community.

On November 8, Sec. Balagot visited the Alternative Learning System class of 119 ASG returnees, a housing project, and a farming project, where beneficiaries are being assisted in growing chili, cassava and vegetable.

“Gusto na po namin ng kapayapaan at katahimikan kaya nagpapasalamat po kami sa pagtanggap sa amin at pagbigay ng tulong para mas maayos namin ang buhay ng pamilya namin,” Balaman Musad one of the ASG returnees said. Musad is helping construct houses, is a recipient of the livelihood project, and is attending ALS classes.

Muz-ar Angkun, another beneficiary, also attended the ALS classes. “Inaayos ko na po ang buhay ko ngayon para maging mabuting modelo sa aking mga anak at upang hindi sila maligaw ng landas,” he said. “Bilang ama ng walong anak, ayoko pong maranasan nila ang mga naranasan ko kaya nagsusumikap po ako ngayon para mas maging mabuti silang tao,”Angkun added.

The office of ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman has earmarked P20 million for the implementation of the program, which also covers assistance to returnees from the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters. (By Mindanao EXPOSE’ with Bureau of Public Information)

Editorial

How much wage hike?

        Wage earners in the National Capital Region are making noises --- the petition for wage increase . Those in Metro Manila ask for a P334 hike, making it to more than P700 a day to cope with the rising cost of living amid high inflation rate in the country. But what the group of employers could give is P20 a day, which to the workers is a “slap on their face.”

        Here in our region, the wage earners seem to be silent on this pleading… we only hear murmurs of dissatisfaction but not openly expressive through staging of rallies. Not that the workers here are contented with the daily minimum wage but perhaps because of non-militancy stance and rather wait for the wage hike to come, if at all. 

        Let’s face the fact, today’s minimum wage is really very minimal and could hardly match the cost of basic necessities. What’s more, a low earning family has nothing to save for contingencies or emergencies. By the time Christmas holidays come, the bonuses will be like scratch because of the diminishing peso value. In Region-12, the daily minimum wage is just over P300, hoping this wage law is religiously implemented by the employers.

        Malacañang said it will leave to the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board the petition for wage increases.  “So the Palace will respect whatever the decision of the wage board is,” said Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo in a Palace press briefing.

        The cost of living is relative and differs from one region to another. Financial analysts say that P1,100 is somehow the ideal sum for a day-to-day subsistence and decent living. But to grant this as a daily minimum wage is a dream-set in contrast to affordability to pay, otherwise many firms will close shop. Either we stay put with the current minimum for wage earners or quit jobs… which way then? No sane person will just quit job for the family goes penniless. Looking for another job with a promising pay is an option… but which way to go?  We hear that medical practitioners have also increased their consultation fees because of high inflation. Even high professionals seek higher fees at this time and how much more for lowly wage earners.

        There must be an economic balance somewhere to cushion the effects of high inflation and cost of living. For the moment, it’s an eye gazing between employees and employers. What is a just wage is far the comfort of the labor sector. Employers gain in production or business and to give the just wage is the reward for the labor sector.

        For the moment, let us wait how the wage board would determine the wage increases. So be it now. Can we still tighten our belts, folks?