Kervin, not his real name, who fully denounced his membership from the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) has surrendered at the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Cervantes, Ilocos Sur in September 2020. Assisted by a PNP officer, he visited DSWD Field Office 1 satellite office in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur to seek aid from the Department. After thorough assessment of Social Welfare Officer II Ma. Berdanette Arcangel, Kervin received a family food pack, a hygiene kit, and PhP10,000.00 financial assistance which he can use to augment his daily needs or to build a budding livelihood to start anew. Kervin is one of the few individuals who have returned to the folds of the law wanting to live a life without fear and apprehension. Kervin’s story depicts a journey that the DSWD and the whole government yearn – guiding people who once embraced the communist ideology.

DSWD Field Office 1 continuously provides assistance to vulnerable individuals and residents who have been affected by local insurgency. To show DSWD’s support and commitment to the implementation of Executive Order (EO) No. 70 aimed at Ending the Local Communist Armed Conflict, the Department has collaborated once again with the Philippine Army and other partners and stakeholders in providing food and non-food assistance, among others during a community dialogue on 2 October 2020 at Sitio Paring in Barangay Babal-lasioan, Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur, a communist-exploited community. A total of PhP97,000.00 financial assistance were released to 21 families while 23 households received family food packs composed of rice, canned goods, cereals, and coffee.

“The Department supports all the initiatives of the government in ending all forms of local insurgency in Region 1 as well as in the other parts of the country. DSWD adheres to the call of the present administration to end local communist armed conflict to attain an inclusive and sustainable peace. No one wins in war and fear. We should act together now to achieve community harmony so that the next generation will grow in true and lasting peace,” shared DSWD FO 1 Regional Director Marcelo Nicomedes J. Castillo.

DSWD Field Office 1 has now provided more than PhP2million worth of assistance to some 350 individuals and residents who denounced support and membership to CPP-NPA. # Darwin T. Chan, Social Marketing Unit