From the Philippine Information Agency (Nov 24): ‘Halfway’ house for former rebels to rise in Kalinga soon

CITY OF TABUK, Kalinga - The Kalinga halfway house for former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels under the government’s Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) will soon rise at the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office compound, here.

Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Cordillera Regional Director Marlo Iringan recently led the groundbreaking rite for the P5 million worth-facility that would serve as temporary shelter for former rebels joining the fold of the law. The building is targeted to be completed early next year.

Trained personnel from the PSWDO will be assigned to look after the operation of the facility.

Kalinga along with Mountain Province are the only recipients of the P5-M fund for building halfway houses in the Cordillera Region.

Former rebels willing to go back to mainstream society need to undergo re-orientation and re-briefing for smoother re-integration to the community, Iringan said. The halfway house serves as the processing center for them. Rebel-surrenderees will have their re-orientation and re-briefing inside the facility while waiting for the release of their benefits under the CLIP.

Showing sincerity to address the decade-old insurgency problem, aside from financial assistance and compensation and remuneration of all turned-in firearms, government offers other social programs like scholarship, skills training and livelihood assistance to former rebels and their kin.

Iringan sees the project as important milestone in the government’s efforts to end the insurgency movement in the country by showing former rebels what government can do for them.

http://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1002524