Former members of non-state armed groups (FMNSAGs) will be guided and assisted in their reintegration to their families and communities through the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Social Case Management Service (SCMS).
This was emphasized by Undersecretary Alan Tanjusay of the DSWD’s Peace and Development Group (PDG) in his interview on Saturday (August 30) with DZMM’s ‘Serbisyong DSWD for Every Juan!’
“Ang social case management service ay tutok sa pag-aakay at pagtutok sa mga rebelde, all throughout the entire time simula nung sila ay sumuko. So, tutulungan sila, tututukan sila ng DSWD hanggang sila ay ma-reintegrate sa kanilang community, sa kanilang family, yun ang importante,” Undersecretary Tanjusay said.
Under this initiative, case managers — consisting of DSWD social workers and development workers — will work in close coordination with FMNSAGs in conducting needs assessments; formulating appropriate interventions; and facilitating their access to social protection programs, livelihood opportunities, and other relevant government services aligned with their specific needs.
Undersecretary Tanjusay said that among the agency programs and services that FMNSAGs, their families, and other individuals affected by armed conflicts can avail of are psychosocial intervention, cash aid under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) Program, seed capital under the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), and funding for community infrastructure subprojects.
“Bukod sa mga regular services na binibigay ng DSWD ay ni-rerefer din natin sila sa ibang mga government agencies. Bilang diretsong pagtulong ay mayroon kaming SLP na binibigay sa kanila, either they have an association or an individual. Binibigyan natin sila ng seed capital para makapagsimula, at mayroon tayong mga subprojects na pangangailangan ng community. For example, solar lamps, hanging bridges, at iba pa, para pakinabangan ng mas maraming miyembro ng community,” the DSWD undersecretary said.
If the interventions needed by former rebel group members were not within the scope of the DSWD, Undersecretary Tanjusay said the Department refers the beneficiaries to other concerned line agencies.
In terms of coordination with other government agencies, Undersecretary Tanjusay said the DSWD is tapping law enforcement units such as the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and barangay local government units to check and assess the identities of FMNSAGs.
For this year, the SCMS targets to assist around 32,000 former rebels from pilot areas in Regions 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula), 10 (Northern Mindanao), 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN), and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
The ‘Serbisyong DSWD for Every Juan’ airs every Saturday from 11 am to 12 noon over DZMM Radyo 630 and is anchored by veteran broadcaster Alvin Elchico and cohosted by Jet Guevara of the DSWD’s Public Relations Service (PRS). (AKDL)
