BUTUAN CITY - Some 75 former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) have received financial and livelihood assistance from the government during the conduct of Enhanced – Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) Awarding of Assistance held recently at Villa Maria Luisa Hotel in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur.
Each beneficiary received livelihood and immediate assistance totalling to P65,000.00, and another amount depending on the firearm they surrendered to the government.
Other government agencies also extended help to former rebels (FRs). The Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) Caraga has promised to grant a scholarship to former rebels’ dependents; and PhilHealth membership for one year, which will be shouldered by the local government unit.
Aside from this, another P5,000.00 cash assistance and food packs, as well as vegetable seedlings from the provincial government will be given to them.
According to Marcelo Tejano, a former member of the rebel group, he has terrible experiences when he joined and became member of the NPA.
“I regret joining the rebel group, where I had awful experiences,” cited Tejano.
Tejano added that despite of his involvement in the rebel group, he is still thankful to the government for giving him another opportunity to experience a peaceful life with his family, and would no longer cause harm to other people in the community.
Meanwhile, Usec. Reynaldo Mapagu of the Department of National Defense (DND), also commended the efforts of the provincial government of Surigao del Sur for their continued support and implementation of the program of the national government under the Duterte administration.
This initiative is a way of bringing the government closer to the people, particularly to the former rebels who surrendered to the government and are now back to the mainstream society. (NGB/JPG/PIA-Caraga)
https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1023380
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