City of Mati, Davao Oriental — The provincial government-run Happy Home which is a beehive of Communist rebels wishing to embrace the fold of law was conferred the Kapayapaan Award by the Armed Forces of the Philippines for its steadfast advocacy of peace.
The sprawling facility called “Happy Home” situated right across the biggest military camp in Davao Oriental has continue to produce individuals or “graduates” who had once advocated for the long-running armed struggle against the government but are now the government’s strong partners for its peace and development efforts.
Davao Oriental Governor Nelson Dayanghirang personally received the award during the 83rd Foundation Anniversary celebration of the Armed Forces of the Philippines last December 21 at its headquarters in Camp General Emelio Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
The peace award being one of the highest distinctions given by the AFP is conferred to individuals and institutions who actively pursue peace and development.
“(This is) in grateful recognition of the invaluable contribution to the Eastern Mindanao Command through the implementation of measures, strategies and development of plans for efficient and effective delivery of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) for former rebels. These significantly contributed to the AFP’s Development Support and Security Plan “Kapayapaan,” says Lt. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr., chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, in conferring the AFP Kapayapaan Award 2018 to the Capitol-run Happy Home.
Also among these year’s Peace Awardees are the Peace 911 Task Force of Davao City and Ms. Mylah Faye Aurora Carino, regional director of the National Economic Development Authority in Region 13.
Hundreds of former members of the Communist New People’s Army have benefited from the provincial government-run Happy Home program that entices the insurgents to leave the armed struggle in exchange for a huge financial assistance and a host of other benefits among them a free education and livelihood package.
“Happy Home gives us, former rebels, another chance in life, a better life for ourselves, our children and our children’s children,” says a teary-eyed Karl Jay, a 17-year-old former NPA rebel who was one of those who graduated from the government’s Alternative Learning System program being implemented at the Happy Home.
“Our peace and development efforts being strengthened through the years has led to the achievement of remarkable results that includes the mass surrender of the Communist rebels who have chosen to live the life of peace. We also saw the massive surrender of members of the underground mass organizations. The provincial government will continue to strengthen even more the successful operation of the Happy Home for former rebels. Happy Home gives them a hope of life where they and their families can live safely and happily to pursue their grandest dreams in life. Happy Home gives them the hope of prosperity and abundance, the hope that someday they will become the captain of their fate and builders of our future. Let us choose hope over fear, and let us break free from the endless cycle of violence. This is the price we are willing to pay for peace and human development in our time,” says Governor Dayanghirang.
“The armed conflict can be resolved by building mutual trust and understanding. We have made several positive strides in the name of peace. We will continue to strive to firmly install the pillars of shared peace and prosperity in Davao Oriental. That is our strong commitment to the goal of peace as the people of Davao Oriental are earnestly longing for an end to violent conflict. We shall continue to foster community dialogues in the hope to create many more communities of peace. We will empower the people by transforming them to become peace advocates. I strongly believe that a genuine people’s participation is crucial in institutionalizing peace and development efforts. In planting the seeds of trust that had long been missing in the communities, we are now starting to reap the fruits of peace as a result of forging good relationship with the people. This is our way of uniting the people into a common vision and a common spirit of love, unity and understanding which is the key element of peace. We bring peace and we bring development to our people,” says Governor Dayanghirang.
Happy Home was founded during the time of former Governor Corazon Malanyaon, a close political ally of Governor Dayanghirang. The incumbent governor says Happy Home was envisioned to be the beginning of sincere dialogue towards resolving the armed conflict without resorting to the use of arms.
