57 rebels in EV availed reintegration program since 2012-OPPAP

From the Leyte Samar Daily Express (Sep 6): 57 rebels in EV availed reintegration program since 2012-OPPAP

Since the implementation of Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) in 2012 in the three Samar provinces, 57 former members of the rebel group, the New People’s Army, availed of the program.

Of this number, 45 of them came from Northern Samar while six each came from Samar and Eastern Samar provinces, Ecel Bantilo, CLIP-Visayas area coordinator of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP).

Bantilo also said that documents are now underway for 17 other former rebels avail Social Integration Program which saw 600 former rebels all over the country availing said program.

Immediate assistance, livelihood assistance to include firearm remuneration assistance worth about P100,000 or more are given to rebels who would surrender to the government with their firearms, added Bantilo.

She added that an evaluation committee handles the reintegration of former rebels before they could avail of the program under CLIP.

Fear for their lives and lack of knowledge about the program were the reasons cited by Bantilo why there were only few former NPA members have so far availed the reintegration program of the national government.

Bantilo added that they at the OPPAP are thankful for the support of the local government units for the sustainability of the implementation of the CLIP. She, however, asked them to enact an ordinance to institutionalize the program as they are the one that will implement it.

The OPPAP will only provide financial support to them in carrying out the program, she said.

Of the three Samar provinces, only Northern Samar has enacted such ordinance.

http://leytesamardaily.net/2013/09/57-rebels-in-ev-availed-reintegration-program-since-2012-oppap/