Former NPA rebels in ComVal get gov't financial support

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 4): Former NPA rebels in ComVal get gov't financial support

Eleven former members of the communists New People’s Army (NPA) in the province of Compostela Valley received Wednesday their much needed financial support from the government in their efforts to regain their lives and once again live peacefully in their respective communities.

Each of the 11 rebel returnees received PhpP65,000 cash assistance courtesy of the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the provincial government of Compostela Valley.

Of the total amount the returnees received, Php15,000 was given in the form of immediate assistance to answer their pressing and urgent needs and the Php50,000 for their livelihood assistance.

CLIP is a national government program for rebels who want to go back to the folds of the law and help them live normal lives.

The program provides financial assistance and even health and education assistance packages to the returnees.

Among those who received the assistance is 21-year-old Lisa, her real name was kept for security reasons.

“While still in the mountains I already heard about the CLIP program and was convinced to go back to the mainstream society to live a normal life. I have a one-year old kid and I believe it now the right time to focus my attention for his future,” Lisa said in vernacular when interviewed by the media.

Lisa believes the government is sincere in helping rebels who wanted to go back to the folds of the law.

Another returnee, Domeng, 57, said he will devote his time in farming, particularly in rice production.

Domeng expressed gratitude to the government and the CLIP program for the new opportunity that was given to him to live peacefully in his community.

The presentation of CLIP benefits to the former rebels was led by Compostela Valley DILG provincial director Liborio Diana, together with Vice-Governor Manuel Zamora, PNP provincial director Senior Supt. Albert Ignatius Ferro and 1001st Brigade Commander Col. Macairog Alberto.

In 2015, a total of 52 rebel returnees received financial assistance through CLIP in the province of Compostela Valley.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=853967