CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar — Forty student dependents of former rebels and CAFGU Active Auxiliaries (CAAs) each received ₱6,000 in educational assistance on October 12 and 13, 2026, at Tandaya Hall in Catbalogan City, according to the Philippine Army's 8th Infantry Division.
The payouts, totaling ₱240,000, were released under the government's Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program and were facilitated jointly by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Samar and the Sirak Kabataan organization, with the 8th Infantry Division providing support.
Distribution Held Over Two Days at Catbalogan Venue
The 8th Infantry (Stormtroopers) Division said in a press release dated October 21, 2026, that the distribution took place across two consecutive days at Tandaya Hall. The division, headquartered at Camp General Vicente Lukban in Catbalogan City, assisted in coordinating the release of funds to eligible student beneficiaries.
The DSWD-administered AICS program provides cash and other forms of aid to individuals and families facing crisis situations, including educational assistance for students. The 8th Infantry Division said the assistance was intended to ease school-related expenses and support beneficiaries' continued education.
Samar College Student Describes Family's Financial Burden
Among the 40 recipients was Efren Cagomoc, 25, a student of Samar College, who described the financial strain his family faces in supporting ten children through school.
"I am very grateful to be among the students who received this benefit. It is a big help to us, especially because our family is large — there are ten of us siblings. What my parents earn is not enough to send all of us to school at the same time. So this is a big help for our allowance, boarding house rent and food here," Cagomoc said in Filipino, as quoted in the Army release.
Cagomoc also addressed fellow students directly, urging them to prioritize their education and resist recruitment by leftist groups.
"To other students, let us study and try not to be deceived by leftist groups, because poverty is not a barrier. The government gives many benefits for us. We just need to study well," he said.
8th Infantry Division Urges Responsible Use of Aid
The 8th Infantry Division congratulated the beneficiaries and encouraged them to use the financial assistance responsibly. The division said in its press release that investing in education helps strengthen families and develops responsible citizens.
The release was issued by the division's Public Affairs Office, headed by Lt. Col. Joseph S. Sabas.
Division Renews Call for Remaining Rebels to Lay Down Arms
In the same October 21 press release, the 8th Infantry Division reiterated its standing call for members of what it refers to as communist terrorist groups (CTG) still engaged in armed activity to surrender, return to their families, and avail themselves of government reintegration programs.
The division did not provide figures on the current number of active CTG members in the region or specify which reintegration programs were being referenced.
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of the 8th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office