BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar – The government has
distributed Php 715,000 worth of checks to 11 former members of the New
People’s Army (NPA) who abandoned rebellion.
Each rebel returnee got Php 65,000, broken down to
livelihood assistance (Php 50,000) and immediate financial aid (Php 15,000).
Governor Conrado Nicart, chairman of the provincial peace
and order council led the turnover on Thursday at the provincial capitol.
Key officials from the Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG), Philippine Army, Philippine National Police and Department
of Social Welfare and Development joined Nicart.
“I commend these former rebels for their decision to return
to the government’s fold. I hope for your success as you return to normal
lives,” Nicart said.
The cash grant was from the Office of the Presidential
Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) under the government’s Comprehensive Local
Integration Program (CLIP).
The former rebels were from towns of Maslog, Dolores, Oras,
San Julian, Giporlos, Hernani, and Borongan
City
The proposed livelihood projects for former rebels include
hog fattening, hog raising, piggery, community store, rice retailing, and small
scale trading.
The DILG has certified that recipients are former rebels by
visiting their homes and talking to their friends, relatives and neighbors.
The government agency also examined their proposed projects,
type of assistance required and make sure that the amount received by formers
rebels are full.
Roel (not his real name), 47, a former rebel, who used to be
a courier of the rebel movement, said the assistance from the government is a
big help in their “new life back to the society.”
“We were assessed if we are qualified and were trained by
the DSWD on how to deal with our new life and develop entrepreneurial skills,”
he added.
A native of this city, Jojo, 30 became a member of communist
group when he was 17. His wife, Lea from nearby Can-avid town was also a rebel
for eight years when they decided to surrender this year.
Asked why they surrendered, the couple said they want their
three children to have a better future. They couldn’t imagine their children
living in mountains and hiding.
“My children need to have documents like birth certificate
so they could study in a regular school. They don’t have that. If we continue
living and becoming member of communist group how can we ensure the future of
our children and their safety?” he asked.
Jojo’s cash assistance will be used for his proposed rice
retailing business while Lea’s grant will be her start-up capital for small
community store.
Governor Nicart reminded all rebel returnees to use the
grant wisely.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=808436
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