Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo encouraged the 33 beneficiaries of the Comprehensive Local Integration Program to spend what the government had given them in a wise and productive manner.
The beneficiaries, who had separately returned to the folds
of the law in recent years, were granted each P15,000 as immediate assistance,
and P50,000 livelihood assistance, or a total of P65,000 each under the CLIP.
“I hope that you will put to good use the assistance that is
given to you so you could start anew and successfully reintegrate your life
back as well as become a productive member of the community”, Degamo told the
former members of the rebel New People's Army.
Degamo also told them not hesitate to approach government
officials any time if they need help and expressed joy over their return “to
the folds of the law and will start to live a peaceful life”.
The turnover ceremony was attended by top ranking officials
of the Philippine Army, headed by Maj. Gen Rey Leonardo Guerrero, commanding
general of the 3 rd Infantry Division, 302 nd Brigade commander, Col. Alan
Martin, Col. Harold Anthony Pascua, 79 th IB commanding officer, and Supt.
Reynold Andot of the Negros Oriental PNP.
The CLIP seeks to contribute toward achieving the goal of
permanent and peaceful closure of all armed conflicts with non-state armed
groups.
Degamo reiterated his consistent stand of rural development
over bearing arms as the best solution to the problems facing society today.
Three beneficiaries, who spoke for their group, expressed
their gratitude to the governor, the Philippine Army, the police and other line
government agencies for giving them the opportunity to start a new life.
Holding back tears, the two male and one female
beneficiaries took turns in giving their responses and expressed hope for a
better life under the CLIP.
The governor said his administration will continue to work
to achieve lasting peace in the province and called on the other NPA members to
leave the rebel movement and return to the folds of the law.
Guerrero said this is the biggest, in terms of the number of
beneficiaries under the integration program, in the coverage area of the 3ID.
He said he is pushing for the declaration of an insurgency-free Negros Oriental
by 2016.
Martin said he hopes for a closure to the insurgency
problem, as there is a bigger security concern, like the issue of the West
Philippine Sea that is threatening the sovereignty of the country, and the
passage of the Bangsa Moro Basic Law, that he hopes will be the solution to the
Mindanao problem.
The checks were presented Degamo, provincial DILG director
Dennis Quinones, and provincial social welfare officer Alice Lagarde.
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