14 former rebels get P760k CLIP assistance

From the Philippine Information Agency (Dec 29): 14 former rebels get P760k CLIP assistance

Fourteen former New Peoples’ Army (NPA) members have  taken the step to live a better life when they opted to lay down their arms to join the mainstream society.

With their willing surrender to the folds of law, the government through the 501st Brigade, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP) in cooperation with the Kalinga provincial government awarded them with livelihood financial assistance amounting to a total of P760,000.00.

Nine of the recipients were entitled  to  P55,000.00 checks each, four with P50,000.00  each and one was issued a check amounting to P65,000.00. Said assistance granted through the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) hopes to help them start to live a gainful and productive way of life.

CLIP is part of the national government’s comprehensive program for reconciliation, reintegration into the mainstream society and rehabilitation of former rebels. This aims to address the legal status and security of former rebels, as well as community-based assistance programs to address the economic, social and psychological rehabilitation needs of former rebels, demobilized combatants and civilian victims of the internal armed conflicts.

During the awarding ceremonies, officials led by  Governor Jocel Baac encouraged the recipients to use the assistance to better their lives and their families as he encouraged those still in hiding to take advantage of the government program.

Last September 17, four former rebels in the province have also availed of the Gun for Peace Assitance through the 501st Brigade.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=191387846997