The national government and the local government of South Cotabato have released around PHP520,000 in grants
to eight former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels who surrendered in the area
earlier this year.
Lailyn Ortiz, Department of the Interior and Local Government-South
Cotabato provincial director, said Thursday the grants comprise the approved
livelihood and other financial assistance for the returnees under the
Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP).
She said it includes PHP50,000 each from the Office of the
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process and PHP15,000 from the provincial
government of South Cotabato .
“These grants will fund the livelihood projects that they
proposed under the program,” she said.
Prior to the approval of the livelihood grants, Ortiz said
they required the beneficiaries to submit business plans to ensure the
sustainability of the projects.
Lt. Col Ronald Jess Alcudia, commanding officer the Army’s
27th Infantry Battalion, said the eight rebel returnees surrendered and laid
down their firearms several months ago following a series of negotiations.
He said they were formerly under NPA units that operate in
the boundaries of South Cotabato and Sarangani
provinces.
The official said they immediately enrolled them to the CLIP
so they could avail of various livelihood and financial assistance.
Under the program, he said a rebel returnee is assured of
PHP50,000 in livelihood assistance and incentive for each firearm that they
surrender.
“The returnees are subjected to healing and reconciliation
programs and are provided with given legal assistance,” he said.
Alcudia said they also undergo skills training to prepare
them for their chosen livelihood projects.
CLIP reintegrates former rebels into the social mainstream
and uplifts their socio-economic conditions to enable them to become active
partners in the local development.
The program also seeks to contribute towards the achievement
of the goal of permanent peaceful closure of all armed conflicts with non-state
armed groups.(
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=831521
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