OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental, June 22 (PIA)--Fulfilling President Rodrigo Duterte’s commitment to providing former rebels (FRs) a good life once they return to the folds of society, a total of 12 former New People’s Army (NPA) members from the province and neighboring provinces each received P65,000 checks under the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), June 18 at HalfwayHouse, Camp Burgos, Oroquieta City.
One of the 12 FRs receives his immediate and livelihood assistance during the turn-over of financial assistance and the closing ceremony of reintegration activities for 12 FRs in Misamis Occidental Province under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP), June 18.
(SMRN/PIA Misamis Occidental)
The financial assistance includes P15,000 immediate aid and livelihood assistance worth P50,000 and other needs-based benefits.
During the closing ceremony of the 28-day reintegration program and turn-over of the financial assistance to batch 4 former rebels in Misamis Occidental, Commanding Officer of 10th Infantry Battalion LtCol Ray Tiongson said the release of the financial assistance shows that the government is committed to assist the rebel returnees.
“The Philippine Army is always here to provide assistance to our local government in terms of providing security and a peaceful environment for our people,” Tiongson said.
He also added that as the former rebels have chosen to return to the folds of the law, they now have a second chance in life and enjoy freedom. Tiongson assured that the government is always ready to accept and provide the FRs with the E-CLIP.
Meanwhile, Misamis Occidental Governor Philip Tan underscored the government's sincere desire to assist the FRs and their families from poverty saying, “The government is very sincere to give you second chance and to renew your lives."
The governor guarantees that the provincial government will provide the FRs with other necessary assistance including livelihood programs, hospitalization, and aid for education.
The ECLIP Committee together with the national line agencies and 12 former rebels. (SMRN/PIAMisamis Occidental)
Two of the FRs shared their testimonies on why they decided to yield to the government. They mentioned that the longing for their families during his time with the rebels compounded by the hardships, fear, and anxieties they experienced are their reasons for surrendering.
For his part, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Provincial Director Pablio Benitez, Jr. presented the activities and programs from January-June 2020 as part of the accomplishments of E-CLIP.
Benitez thanked the line agencies for the assistance, training, seminars, and other interventions in the communities aimed to transform former rebels. "It takes a village to transform the lives of former rebels and with the presence of the different agencies, I see that there is unity."
Benitez administered the Oath of Allegiance of the FRs, which signified their full commitment in returning back to the government and mainstream society and their loyalty to the Republic of the Philippines. (SMRN/PIA Misamis Occidental)
https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1045441
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.