Feature: DILG's CLIP provides over P101-million assistance to 1,573 former rebels

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 5): Feature: DILG's CLIP provides over P101-million assistance to 1,573 former rebels

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has provided a total of P101.67-million assistance to 1,573 former rebels for the past two years under its Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP).

CLIP is the National Reintegration Program for the New People’s Army (NPA) aimed at achieving permanent and peaceful closure of the armed conflict with a non-state group.

“The program has brought former rebels back into society with their families as productive, peace-loving, and law-abiding citizens,” said DILG Secretary Ismael ‘Mike’ D. Sueno.

Under the said Program, an immediate assistance amounting to P15,000 is given to a former rebel for mobilization expenses while his/her enrolment in the Program is being processed.

Aside from that, livelihood assistance in the amount of P50,000 is also given per former rebel.

A receiving unit such as a local government unit (LGU) or Philippine National Police (PNP) is given P7,000 reintegration assistance as a support to help defray the board and lodging of each former rebel in their custody.

It also covers other incidental expenses that may be incurred while processing requirements such as birth certificate and identification card which are needed to get certificate from JAPIC (Joint Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police Intelligence Committee), which certifies that an individual is a member of the NPA and is eligible to be enrolled in the CLIP.

Surrendered firearms of a former rebel have a corresponding amount to help returnees with additional financial assistance or capital for a livelihood in their communities while going back into the fold of mainstream communities.

This year, 80 firearms have been turned-in and 16 were surrendered last year from rebels in different regions of the country.

Other CLIP benefits Rebel returnees can also avail of services of a ‘halfway house’ while his/her enrolment to the CLIP is being processed.

Halfway house refers to the temporary residence that serves as the processing center for former rebels.

In Mati City, Davao Oriental, a one-storey, residential type halfway house was constructed.

The fund was sourced out from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP)’s PAMANA (Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan) program.

Under the CLIP, former rebels also get psycho-social support together with their families and communities through healing and reconciliation initiatives.

Former rebels further get enrolled in PhilHealth (Philippine Health Insurance Corporation) under the PAMANA-PhilHealth Sponsored Program with one-year validity and open for renewal, subject to availability of funds.

Former rebels may also get additional assistance, that may be sourced out from partner institutions or agencies, such as capacity-building, skills training, provision of shelter, and legal assistance.

This 2017, Sueno calls on rebels to be partners for real change by supporting Duterte administration’s peace efforts with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)/NPA/National Democratic Front (NDF).

“The President and the whole of government genuinely wish to put an end to one of the world's longest running insurgencies. Let’s talk and work together for a just and enduring peace this year and beyond,” he said. (DILG)

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1141483618641/feature-dilg-s-clip-provides-over-p101-million-assistance-to-1-573-former-rebels