DILG turns over ‘reintegration assistance’ to Army

From the Philippine Information Agency (Feb 22, 2019): DILG turns over ‘reintegration assistance’ to Army

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL -- The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Provincial Office turned over P231,000 worth of reintegration assistance to the 62nd Infantry Battalion (62nd IB) and 3rd Civil-Military-Operations Battalion (CMOBn) of the Philippine Army.

The reintegration assistance is a component benefit of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) of President Rodrigo Duterte by virtue of Administrative Order No. 10 – 2018 that centralizes all government efforts for the reintegration of former rebels.

According to a release from the 303rd Infantry Brigade, the P21,000 assistance will be provided to each of the 11 former rebels, of which seven surrendered to 62nd IB and four to the 3rd CMOBn.

The reintegration assistance will be in support to the receiving unit to which the rebels surrendered which will be spent on their daily subsistence or meals while in custody of the military unit as well as for other incidental expenses necessary for their reintegration like securing birth certificate, identification card, and mobility expenses.

Engr. Carmelo Orbista, DILG provincial director, turned over the checks to the military here represented by Colonel Benedict Arevalo, commander of 303rd Infantry Brigade; Lt. Col. Egberto Dacoscos, commanding officer of 62nd IB; and Major Udgie Villan, acting commanding officer of 3rd CMOBn.

“This shows the sincerity of the government to accept NPAs who want to return to the folds of the law and live normal lives,” Arevalo said.

Other E-CLIP benefits include immediate assistance of P15,000; livelihood assistance of P50,000; firearms remuneration of P12,000 to P500,000; halfway house assistance; PhilHealth enrolment and medical assistance; education assistance; housing assistance; legal assistance; and healing and reconciliation initiatives.

Arevalo added that the Army strongly supports the E-CLIP initiative and welcome those who want to lay down their arms.

For inquiries about surrender, the 303rd Infantry Brigade can be reached through hotline numbers, 0956-328-2415 and 0947-5240587.

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1018857