FRs grateful to govts’ sincerity on ECLIP program

From the Philippine Information Agency (Oct 21, 2020): FRs grateful to govts’ sincerity on ECLIP program (By Gideon C. Corgue)

PAGADIAN CITY, Oct. 20 (PIA)— At least three (3) former rebels received livelihood and financial assistance worth P65,000 each from the government on Friday, Oct. 16 in a ceremonial ceremony held at the provincial governor’s office here.

The financial and livelihood assistance was awarded by Governor Victor Yu, DILG provincial director Mohamad Taha Arakama and 2Lt George Yu of the 53rd Infantry (Matapat) Battalion, Philippine Army.

The Php 50,000.00 will serve as livelihood assistance to be spent in agricultural production particularly livestock dispersal and farming, while Php 15,000.00 will serve as immediate assistance. The assistance is part of the implementation of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) which seeks to attain lasting and peaceful termination of all armed conflicts with the rebels.

Yu said he is grateful that the surrender of the rebels under their administration is a sign that the E.O 70 or the “whole-of-nation” approach of President Rodrigo Duterte is gradually winning.

“I am very grateful that with the EO 70 of the president, the insurgency problem will be properly addressed and I am optimistic that we can attain everlasting peace and progress,” Yu said.

The governor appealed to members of the New People’s Army to abandon its guerilla war and cooperate instead with the government.

“Panahon na karon nga magkahiusa ta tungod kay ang pakigbatok sa NPA sa atong gobyerno sa nakalabay nga 50 years, hilabihan ka dako kaayo ang gasto niini. Kung pila ka bilyon ang nagasto sa gobyerno, nagamit unta kini paghimo sa cement concrete roads ug moabot ug pila ka kilometro nga sementadong dalan ang magamit sa mga tawo,” Yu said.

(It is time for us to unite because the NPA's fight against our government over the past 50 years has increased the cost of war. If the government spent a few billion pesos, it would have used for the construction of cement concrete roads and it also reached several thousand kilometers of cement roads that will be used by the people.)

He also thanked the 53rd Infantry (Matapat) Battalion, Philippine Army for sincerely implementing the counter-insurgency program of the government which resulted to the surrender of more than 100 former rebels in the province.

Meanwhile, Aka Diego, a 31 year-old former rebel of barangay Lison Valley, Pagadian City said he is thankful to President Duterte for not leaving them (FRs) through his sincere implementation of the E-CLIP program.

“Dako kaayo ang akong pagsalamat kang Presidente Duterte nga wala niya pasagdi kaming mga FRs pinaagi sa iyang kinasing-kasing nga pagpatuman sa E-CLIP program. Sa among pagbalik sa katilingban, nadawat namo ang financial ug livelihood assistance aron makasugod sa among panginabuhian ug makatabang sa among tagsa-tagsa ka pamilya. Ang P65,000 nga akong nadawat gikan sa gobyerno, akong gamiton pagpalit ug duha ka ektarya nga basakan aron mapadayon usab nako ang akong kalihokan sa pagpanguma ug mabuhi akong pamilya,” Aka Diego concluded.

(I am very much thankful to President Duterte for not leaving us FRs through his sincere implementation of the E-CLIP program. On our return to mainstream society, we received financial and livelihood assistance for us to start our livelihood activities and help our respective families. The P65,000 that I received from the government, I will use it to buy two hectares of paddy fields so that I can also continue my farming activity to support my family.) (RVC/GCC/PIA Zamboanga del Sur)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1056315