In a heartwarming celebration of love, Davao Oriental’s Happy Home celebrated its 10th-year founding anniversary with a mass wedding ceremony for 13 couples consisting of former rebels and their civilian spouses on September 4, 2023, at the Happy Home Covered Court, Mati City.
The event, centered around the theme “The Legacy of Love, Peace, and Unity Binds Us One,” highlighted Happy Home’s unceasing significance as a beacon of hope and transformation for former rebels seeking to reintegrate back into their communities.
Board Member Stephen Paul Uy delivered Governor Niño Sotero L. Uy, Jr.’s sincere congratulations to the newlyweds, noting how this momentous milestone represented a turning point for these couples, transforming them from erstwhile rebels into productive citizens that will build the foundation of a resilient and dynamic society.
BM Uy also expressed the governor’s gratitude for the legacy of the previous provincial administrations, attributing Happy Home’s success to their initiatives and efforts. “May this 10th-year celebration serve as a success story to inspire all of us to work more and collaborate for the development of Davao Oriental,” he remarked.
A DECADE OF LASTING LEGACY
Happy Home, a brainchild of a former Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon, has remained unwavering in its mission to facilitate the transformation of former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels into proud Filipino nation-builders before reintegrating them into mainstream society.
Since its inauguration in 2013, Happy Home has processed and rehabilitated 375 former members of the Communist New People’s Army. The program invites insurgents to leave the armed struggle with the promise of substantial financial assistance and an array of other benefits, including free education and livelihood training. In addition to these significant interventions, Happy Home boasts a dedicated staff composed of a composite group that provides psychosocial, spiritual, and other services. The center also conducts seminars on rural entrepreneurship development and workshops on vocational skills in collaboration with various government agencies and organizations.
Throughout its 10 years of committed service, Happy Home stands as a beacon of excellence in local governance and a model worthy of emulation. Its success in facilitating the transition of rebels to civilian life has attracted the attention of numerous local government units from across the country with the hope of replicating its triumphant program in their respective localities. By Francis Jay Butulan | Photos by JB Rain
