54 rebel returnees get monetary assistance
A total of 54 rebel returnees, including a political instructor and a vice commander, received financial benefits from the government yesterday.
Mayor Sara Duterte personally distributed the grant, under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration program (E-CLIP) and the city’s firearms remuneration program that reached almost P4.5 million, to the former rebels in a ceremony held at a local hotel.
Each returnee received P50,000 livelihood assistance and P15,000 immediate assistance.
Those who brought their firearms during the surrender also received additional incentives: P25,000 for low-powered and P50,000 for high-powered firearms.
Overall, the national government, through the Department of Local and Interior Government (DILG), released P3.51 million for the livelihood and immediate assistance, while the local government released P975,000 for the firearm remuneration.
The mayor urged the former rebels to put the financial aid to good use.
Duterte who chairs the E-CLIP in the city thanked the concerned government agencies – the DILG, the City Social Services Development Office (CSSDO), the Peace 911, the Philippine Army’s 10th Infantry Division and 1003rd Infantry Brigade and the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) – for contributing to the success of the program.
The mayor assured the rebel returnees of their safety and security through the Armed Forces of the Philippines (represented by the 10th ID and its unit, the 1003rd IB) and the Philippine National Police (represented by DCPO).
Brig. Gen. Ernesto Torres, 1003rd IB commander, said 22 returnees are still completing their ECLIP requirements and may soon be getting their benefits.
Torres said the 27 of the returnees received the payment for the surrendered firearms.
Before getting the E-CLIP grants, Torres explained that the returnees underwent screening processes under the Joint AFP-PNP Intelligence Committee (JAPIC), and further screened by the CSSDO and DILG.
He said the returnees will be trained, assisted and monitored by the government and its units to ensure the sustainability and improvement of their livelihood and well-being, in preparation for their eventual reintegration to mainstream society as productive citizens.
Mayor Duterte said the local government unit is also supporting the returnees with a housing unit in Barangay Los Amigos, Tugbok District.
The returnees will also be listed in concerned government agencies such as PhilHealth, National Housing Authority (NHA) and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
The mayor also said that the returnees can also avail of the services of the Kalinaw Village, currently under construction in Barangay Mahayag, Bunawan District. The village is the processing center of the rebel returnees as a venue for orientation, lecture and the likes.
Torres said another batch of returnees is expected to get their benefits under the same program.
“More former rebels are being reintegrated to the mainstream society in the coming months,” he added.
In an interview with the returnees, Ka Princess, a political instructor, said he will use the assistance to put up a piggery.
A native of North Cotabato, he was with the underground movement since 2013.
Last Dec. 21, 45 rebel returnees who surrendered in Davao del Norte, received their financial aid amounting of P2.9 million.
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