How Former Rebels in Guinoman Built Hope Through the Barangay Development Project

In the quiet barangay of Guinoman, in Diplahan, Zamboanga Sibugay, once a place of tension and uncertainty, a new story of hope is being written, one led by the people who once lived in the shadows of conflict.

The Guinoman Alsa Masa Association and Service Provider, an organization of former rebels and supporters of the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People’s Army–National Democratic Front of the Philippines, was founded in 2018 when many residents decided to surrender and reintegrate into the folds of government. With the help of Executive Order No. 70 that implemented a whole-of-nation approach to resolving insurgency, these men and women, husbands and wives, parents and farmers, began to rebuild their lives.

“We realized we needed to unite for peace,” recalls Angel Banaag Gella, the association’s secretary. “Before, we were divided by fear and hardship. Now, our shared dream binds us for a better community.”

Development Rooted in People’s Needs

When the Barangay Development Project (BDP), the flagship project of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict was introduced, the people of Guinoman took an active role in identifying what their community truly needed. Through consultations and meetings, they agreed on priorities that would directly uplift their daily lives: farm-to-market roads, a water system, electricity, and livelihood projects such as piggery, poultry, and a bakery.

But these projects were not imposed from the top. Gella said these were born from the people’s voices.

“Lahat ng proyekto, napag-usapan. [All projects were discussed.] Based on our needs, observations and discussions in the community,” she said.

Today, their farm-to-market roads stand as a concrete symbol of progress. What used to be rough and muddy paths that made transporting goods a struggle are now smooth roads connecting farmers directly to their markets. 

The water system, which was once just a dream to them, now provides clean and potable water to households that used to struggle for every drop. And the electricity that finally reached Purok Bombil has brightened homes that had long been in darkness.

From Setbacks to Success

Like many community-driven efforts, the journey was not without setbacks. Their piggery project suffered when African swine fever (ASF) hit their livestock. But instead of giving up, the association decided to use the remaining funds to buy a tractor, a move that turned out to be wise and sustainable.

“Instead of stopping, we found a way to keep going. The tractor now gives us steady income and supports our association,” Gella shared proudly.

Their bakery, supported by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), now stands as a successful livelihood enterprise with an asset value reaching ₱1 Million. It continues to provide both income and pride for members who once had no stable means of living.

Association officers and members of Guinoman Alsa Masa Association and Service Provider meet with project partners and community stakeholders to discuss the progress of their bakery and commissary store. These regular consultations help ensure transparency, accountability, and success in their DOLE-assisted livelihood projects. / Courtesy of Guinoman Alsa Masa Association and Service Provider

Empowered, Recognized and United for Progress

Recently, members of the Guinoman Alsa Masa Association completed a two-day Financial Management Training to improve their skills in managing funds and ensuring accountability. Their pending civil society organization (CSO) accreditation in the local government unit will allow them to participate formally in local development planning. To them, being accredited is proof that they have transformed from former rebels into active partners of the government in peace and progress.

“We learned not to just wait for help but to act and work for our development,” said Gella. “The projects helped us, so in return, we want to help our community.”

In early October, Guinoman Alsa Masa Association and Service Provider was named Regional Winner for the Best DOLE-Assisted Livelihood Project (Group Category) for its Bakery and Consumer Store Project during the 2025 Regional Kabuhayan Awards held in Zamboanga City. 

Freshly baked goods fill the shelves of the Guinoman Alsa Masa Bakery, one of the many livelihood projects supported by DOLE and the Barangay Development Program (BDP), alongside infrastructure projects such as farm-to-market roads, tractors, electrification, and water systems that uplift local communities. / Courtesy of Guinoman Alsa Masa Association and Service Provider

Hope Beyond the Hills

From a community once defined by division, Guinoman is now slowly being known for cooperation. For Gella and her fellow members, the true victory is not just in the roads or livelihood but in the renewed sense of unity, purpose, and hope.

“Before, we had no freedom and we lived in fear. Now, we see a brighter future for our children,” she said. “We may not be perfect and our projects may not be perfect, but we are learning, working, and dreaming together.”

Through the Barangay Development Project, the people of Guinoman have proven that peace is not just the absence of war, it is the presence of opportunity, dignity, and shared progress.