At least 31 former rebels have been deputized as forest rangers in Borongan City as part of the local government’s initiative to fight insurgency and protect the environment.

Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda and the Department of Environment said in a statement Monday Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Eastern Visayas Regional Executive Director Lormelyn Claudio officially deputized these former rebels as forest guards last week.

“It’s like hitting two birds with one stone. In Borongan City, we do not discriminate against insurgents when they decide to return to the fold of law—we welcome them with open arms. As I have said before, the only reason why people resort to insurgency is because of poverty, because they feel that they are not given equal opportunities and access to resources as those living in urbanized areas,” Agda said.

“By providing them with livelihood means and shelter, we cater to their basic needs while also forging peace and unity in the community. More importantly, by hiring them as forest rangers, we do not only provide them with a steady source of income, but we also gain protectors of the environment in the process,” he said.

City information officer Rupert Ambil said in a text message the new forest guards are casual employees of the city government under the city environment office receiving a PHP220 daily salary.

“After one year, they will get an increase. This is just an initial rate since they have cash reward upon surrender,” Ambil told the Philippine News Agency.

On top of its provision of employment opportunities for rebel returnees, the city government will also give free houses and livelihood opportunities to the returnees.

These former rebels have surrendered to the city government and the Philippine Army’s 78th Infantry Battalion in the past two years.

They are tasked with monitoring and watching over forestlands and providing support to regular DENR forest rangers during forest protection activities. (PNA)