• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Negros Occidental provincial government yesterday extended P1,450,000 financial assistance and insurance benefit claims to former rebels, barangay officials, and tanods, as well barangay health workers, in a joint ceremony held at the Provincial Capitol Social Hall in Bacolod City.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, chairperson of the Regional Peace and Order Council of Negros Island Region, assisted by Brig. Gen. Ted Dumosmog, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, and Provincial Planning and Development Office head, and Ana Marie “Benja” Lucasan, led the awarding of financial assistance to the 44 recipients, including 25 former rebels.
Of the amount, a total of P390,000 was distributed to the 25 former rebels for their six-month transportation allowance, on top of financial and livelihood assistance they received from the provincial government, Dumosmog said.
Families of the 19 barangay officials, tanods, and barangay health workers who passed away in natural deaths and accidents, received an amount ranging from P50,000 to P55,000 each, with a total of P1,060,000 in insurance claims.
Dumosmog lauded the Negros Occidental provincial government for its continued support to former rebels who have returned to the mainstream society.*
