Project Focus Selection

1. Why do you choose the focus you answered in Part (VI), both your 1 st and 2nd CHOICE? Tell us what
issue are you most concerned with, related to the focuses.

“I want the world to know that everybody deserves a second chance” - El Debarge

It is the commitment of the present administration to promote peace and development among its
constituents. Likewise, it has implemented countless of substantial programs in the country with the aim
to create a better future for all Filipinos. For this matter, the highlighted program is the provision of
housing units for the former rebels. On July 16, 2019, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte through the
National Housing Authority (NHA) has turned-over 34 housing units situated in Barangay Cuambogan,
Tagum City which can accommodate 375 beneficiaries to the former rebels from the New People’s Army
(NPA). Most of them are from the provinces of Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley.
This program is called as Freedom Residence in which it covers 3 hectares of land. This initiative has
contributed an effective strategy in fostering unity and peace.

Hence, my proposed project focuses on “Community Empowerment” since it is my commitment to

proffer after-care assistance through the provision of skills and livelihood trainings to the former rebels
with the aim to improve their standards of living, promote employment opportunities, as well as to further
sustain and bolster their progress in their journey towards reintegration to the mainstream society. Even
though they have completely suppressed themselves from the rebel groups with the hope to change their
lives for the better, but there are still a lot of people who have perceived them as enemies of the
government with no future. That is why I want to help them realize their great potential to change, sustain
their daily living, attain progress and to eradicate the stigma that generally binds them because just like
us, and as human beings, they truly deserve a second chance.

2. How do you think humane aspects of volunteering could solve those issues?

I want to prove to others that even the former rebels can change and bring improvement in their lives.
Thus, I devote my full trust to them. This is my first step in realizing this endeavor, and through having a
great part of the eMpowering Youths Across ASEAN (EYAA) programme, it will surely bring forth my
advocacy. This project will definitely give them a better life for themselves. In addition, this will also
give them the prosperity and abundance, and a hope that someday, they will no longer be treated as
insurgents but, serve as a great opportunity to empower them to become a living legacy for peace
advocates.

3. What are the reasons you want to join this programme? Tell us your expectation on what you will be
able to get by the end of the programme.

In order to fully carry out and further strengthen this proposal, I want to reach out to those organizations
that have strong fidelity to help other people. Thus, I have signified my intention to create a vigorous
collaboration with the EYAA programme. With the partnership of the latter, the former rebels will be
provided with comprehensive programs introducing community-based trainings, and creating
communities for sustainability which will enable to pursue and improve their standards of living. I
strongly believe that the target beneficiaries are crucial in institutionalizing peace and development
efforts. I also expect that all projects and activities are packaged and implemented with the participation
and inputs from the EYAA programme to come up with viable outcomes.

After the training, they will be assessed if they are qualified enough for placement of jobs or if they will
be given a capital for livelihood opportunities, or further training to make them competent enough for
facilitation of employment. I am fully committed that all beneficiaries will be catered to improve their
quality of life.

Following the completion of my proposal, total satisfaction and self-fulfillment are the things that I can
expect to get, this is because making others achieve growth and improvement is one my passion. I will do
what is best for everyone. And for me, this matter truly pays off greater than money.

4. If you are selected, what do you plan to do after you completed this volunteering project, especially
related to the issues you have explained previously?

After the successful completion of this proposal, I am fully committed to continually seek to other
vulnerable sectors providing appropriate approaches and platforms with the utmost objective of ensuring
them better quality of life.