(By Lilibeth A. French)
ILOILO CITY, March 12 (PIA6) - - The provincial office of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Iloilo has released some P552,000 in various financial assistance to former rebels (FRs) under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
Local Government Operations Officer II Dolyn Jane Palcia said a total of seven former rebels from the province benefited immediate, reintegration and livelihood assistance provided under the ECLIP since 2018.
All the seven FRs availed of the immediate assistance amounting to P15,000 for their mobilization expenses while six were granted livelihood assistance of P50,000 each.
A P21,000 reintegration assistance was also given to each of the receiving unit of the seven FRs. The amount is intended to cover the subsistence meals of the former rebel while in custody and other incidental expenses that may be incurred while processing their Joint AFP-PNP Intelligence Committee (JAPIC) certification.
Aside from the financial assistance, ECLIP beneficiaries also received safety and security guarantees, PhilHealth enrolment, registration to government entities, healing and reconciliation initiatives and other additional assistance that may be determined based on the Former Rebel Reintegration Plan.
The assistance may include capacity building, skills training, provision of shelter, legal assistance, employment and medical assistance if needed.
Palcia said the FR could also avail of the services of the halfway house while their enrolment in the program is still on process.
In Western Visayas, only the province of Negros Occidental has a half-way house after its local government unit availed of P5 million worth of fund from DILG.
FRs and Militia ng Bayan members also received amount for the firearms they turned in that have undergone the authentication and profiling processes through E-CLIP.
Palcia said the firearms, explosives and ammunition that were turned in were endorsed to the Philippine National Police for clearing and will be demilitarized and disposed of as these were used in rebellion.
Under the program, eligible for assistance are regular members of the New People’s Army who surfaced April 3, 2018 onwards and have expressed the desire to abandon armed violence and become productive members of society. Members of their immediate families are also eligible for assistance under the E-CLIP.
Also eligible are all FRs who surfaced starting July 1, 2016, as well as those who have been processed but did not receive the full assistance under the CLIP.
Members of the Militia ng Bayan who surfaced starting April 3, 2018 shall only be eligible to Immediate Assistance, Reintegration Assistance and Firearms Remuneration.
Palcia said two more members of the New People’s Army, male and female, have decided to go back to the folds of the law and their enrolment to ECLIP is now being processed.
She encouraged other combatants to do the same to be able to avail of the benefits and services under E-CLIP, which is part of the unyielding effort of the government to end local insurgency and in the attainment of sustainable and inclusive peace. (JSC/laf/PIA6-Iloilo)
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