PAGADIAN CITY, 01 June (PIA)— A total of 845,000 pesos of financial aid was given to 13 rebel surrenderers for turning themselves in to the government with the promise to become lawful and productive citizens of the country.
At the culmination of 3-day values formation and psycho-social seminar, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) provided the former rebels (FRs) who surrendered to the 53rd Infantry (Matapat) Battalion, Philippine Army the P50,000 livelihood assistance and P15,000 immediate assistance under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) during the turn-over ceremony held recently at the Executive Function Hall, Provincial Capitol Complex here.
DILG Provincial Director Mohammad Taha Arakama encouraged the FRs to properly use the financial assistance that they received from the government saying that the E-CLIP program is an opportunity for them to improve the quality of their lives, especially through livelihood financial assistance.
“Make your life always in the right path for you to become lawful and productive members in our society,” Arakama urged.
Arakama said the provincial government’s fight against insurgency is fruitful and it was evidently manifested by the resurgence of surrenderees every year at the 53rd IB.
He also said that the president has intensified the implementation of the E-CLIP to give the rebels the opportunity to have a new and better life and for them to become proactive citizens in the country.
“Kayo po ay tumatahak ngayon sa bagong landas at tinalikuran ninyo ang armadong pakikibaka, kaya ang gobyerno ay nagbibigay sa inyo ng package of assistance para mas mapabuti ang inyong buhay at upang masilayan ninyo ng bagong pag-asa,” Arakama announced.
(You are now taking the new path and you abandoned the armed struggle, thus the government provided you the package of assistance to make your life better and to lighten a new hope).
Meanwhile, 2nd District Board Member Jenifer Mariano lauded the FRs for returning to the mainstream of society.
“You have now realized how wonderful to be back and reunited with your family. You are enjoying the freedom which you did not experience while you were in your former organization,” Mariano said.
Mariano said the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) chaired by Governor Victor Yu is fully supporting the anti-insurgency campaign of President Rodrigo Duterte.
“The provincial government will never forsake you. We continue to help you (the returnees) to ensure that you can better take care of yourselves and of your family’s welfare,” Mariano said.
She reminded that in an “armed struggle, we can never achieve a lasting peace.”
Meanwhile, LtCol. Jo-ar Herrera said the E-CLIP is fully operating to ensure that the FRs will have a holistic package of benefits that they can avail from the government.
“This is a “Whole-of-Nation Approach,” Herrera said adding that the FRs are given the opportunity to avail the different programs and services of various government agencies, live normal lives, and be productive citizens in their communities.
“Continue supporting the government and encourage your former comrades to join us in the pursuit of peace and development,” Herrera urged.
The FRs also received half-sack of rice each from Governor Yu, empty gallons, t-shirts and umbrella from the Department of Health, and vegetable seeds from the Department of Agriculture.(RVC/GCC/PIA-Zamboanga del Sur)
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