Former NPA Rebels in Northern Samar Rebuild Lives Through Provincial Reintegration Programs

Posted on October 01, 2026 at 5:14 PM

Tacloban City — Former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) face the challenge of rebuilding their lives after leaving the armed movement, from finding work and supporting their families to returning to communities where they can start anew.

In Northern Samar, the provincial government has established programs to help former rebels reintegrate into civilian life through livelihood assistance, skills training and social support.

The province’s efforts earned it the Gawad Kapayapaan 2026 Award from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU). Northern Samar was the only local government unit among five awardees recognized nationwide this year. The awarding ceremony was held in Quezon City on Sept. 30.

Governor Harris Christopher Ongchuan said the award recognized the work of government agencies, local officials, civil society organizations and communities involved in peacebuilding.

In a message delivered by Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Jenny Darish during the ceremony, Ongchuan said the recognition belonged to everyone who had contributed to the province’s peace efforts.

One of the province’s programs is the Local Social Integration Program (LSIP), which was established before the national government institutionalized the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP). Both programs aim to help former combatants return to civilian life through socioeconomic assistance and other support services.

The province also established Balay Darangpan in 2019 as a halfway house for former NPA members returning to civilian life.

According to the provincial government, the center has assisted more than 200 former rebels in rebuilding their lives and reconnecting with their families and communities. Of these, 55 former combatants recently completed its six-month reintegration program.

The provincial government is also planning to establish Kauswagan Village in Mondragon, which aims to provide 200 single-detached houses for former combatants, along with livelihood opportunities.

The proposed project is intended to help beneficiaries establish more stable lives after leaving the armed movement. Its implementation status and timeline, however, need to be clarified, along with the assistance that residents will receive once they move into the village.

Northern Samar has also reported an increase in the number of municipalities classified under Stable Internal Peace and Security Condition (SIPSC), from eight in 2024 to 19 in 2026.

During the same period, 486 former rebels underwent reintegration through Balay Darangpan and other government programs, according to provincial government figures.

Ongchuan has described peace in terms of everyday life: families sharing meals, former combatants getting another chance and children going to school without fear for their safety.

For former rebels, returning to civilian life involves more than leaving the armed movement. Finding a source of income, reuniting with family members and being accepted by their communities are also part of the process.

The provincial government’s recognition from OPAPRU highlights its reintegration efforts, but sustaining the gains will require continued support for former combatants and their families.

Ensuring that beneficiaries can find work, support their households and remain part of their communities will be important in determining whether these programs can help them build lasting lives outside the armed movement.

Photo courtesy: Northern Samar Provincial Information Office