Kalinaw News: 23 former rebels get E-CLIP benefits in Aurora

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jan 1, 2021): 23 former rebels get E-CLIP benefits in Aurora



BALER, Aurora-Twenty-three (23) former rebels (FRs) who recently surrendered to the government were given financial aid in this capital town of Aurora at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session hall, Barangay Suklayin, here on Tuesday (December 29, 2020).

Lt. Col. Reandrew P. Rubio, Commander of 91st Infantry “Sinagtala” Battalion, Philippine Army said the activity started at 2:30p.m. benefitting the 23 FRs who belongs to New People’s Army (NPA) and Milisyang Bayan (MB) of the communist terrorist group (CTG).

Seventeen individuals received Php65K livelihood assistance while the other six (6) received Php15K immediate assistance from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) under the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

“The ECLIP financial assistance given to our FRs will basically use for their livelihood programs. It is also a good start for their daily needs especially this time of COVID-19 pandemic,” Rubio said. Lawyer Offelio A. Tactac, Jr., DILG-Aurora lauded the former rebels for choosing peace and deciding to return to the fold of the law.

“Ang inyong pagbabalik ay bagong pag-asa. Ang pakikipaglaban ay walang maidudulot na mabuti, kung titingnan natin ang mga bansang nagkakagulo, walang nangyari, walang umasenso sa gera. Kaya tama ang desisyon ninyo na makapagbagong buhay,” Tactac said.

Aurora Governor Gerardo A. Noveras said the provincial government is always open to help the surrenderees. He also advised them to spend the assistance given wisely, especially in this time of pandemic. Noveras is hopeful that the beneficiaries will honor their commitment to the government with mutual respect and live peacefully.

The DILG, along with the 91st IB and the Aurora Police Provincial Office, is always ready to assist them, he added.

The DILG is the lead agency in the implementation of the E-CLIP, which entitles a former rebel to receive immediate assistance of PHP15,000; livelihood assistance, PHP50,000; firearms remuneration, PHP12,000 to PHP500,000; half-way house assistance; PhilHealth enrollment and medical assistance; education assistance; housing assistance; legal assistance; and healing and reconciliation initiatives.

The reintegration assistance is being used for the subsistence or meal cost of FRs who have been placed under the protection of government troops while processing their other benefits under the E-CLIP.

E-CLIP is one of the programs under the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), a body created by President Rodrigo Duterte through Executive Order No. 70. The ceremony was witnessed by Colonel Raul Siriban, Major Estrada-Battalion Ex-O and 1st Lieutenant Candidato S Paduman-S7, 91st IB.

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