DAVAO CITY — More New People’s Army (NPA) member, who have abandoned the communist armed struggle, can now start a better life after they were awarded government’s assistance under the Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
The Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) reported that 270 former rebels were awarded E-CLIP assistance after they were recommended by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to Task Force Balik Loob.
Lt. Col. Ezra Balagtey, spokesperson of the Eastmincom based in Camp Panacan, this city, on Sunday said the awardees will be given free skills training through the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the Department of Labor and Employment livelihood program, health insurance, housing, legal assistance and other social intervention from the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Office of the Presidential Peace Adviser on the Peace Process.
Balagtey said other benefits will be given after completion of the assessments on needs assistance by the Task Force Balik Loob, headed by Department of National Defense Undersecretary Reynaldo Mapagu.
The DILG, in partnership with Compostela Valley provincial government, has also released some PHP4.16 million for livelihood assistance to 64 former rebels. Each of them received PHP65,000.
The Provincial Information Office of Compostela Valley (ComVal) reported that DILG also released PHP2.1 million for the firearms and remuneration for the former rebels.
ComVal and the Department of Trade and Industry also distributed seedlings, training and starter kits which will be provided next month.
Last September 28, ComVal also awarded E-CLIP assistance to 84 former rebels.
Balagtey said E-CLIP is implemented under the Task Force Balik Loob, which is an offshoot of the Administrative Order No. 10 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on April 10, 2018, converging the Comprehensive Localized Integration Program of DILG and programs of interventions of different government agencies to former rebels in preparation to their integration to the mainstream society.
E-CLIP aims to achieve a permanent and peaceful closure of all conflicts with non-state groups by facilitating the surrender of rebels, enhancing LGU capabilities and compensating all turned-in firearms. (/PNA)
