Gov't support to FRs continues, AgSur PTF-ELCAC grants financial aid

From the Philippine Information Agency (May 3, 2021): Gov't support to FRs continues, AgSur PTF-ELCAC grants financial aid (By Jennifer P. Gaitano) 

SAN LUIS, Agusan del Sur, May 3 -- The provincial government of Agusan del Sur continues its support to the 24 Former Rebels (FRs) who voluntarily surrendered to the forces of 26th Infantry (Ever Onward) Battalion by granting cash assistance amounting to PhP10,000.00 each through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development (PSWD) Office of Agusan del Sur held on April 27, 2021 at the PSWD Office in Barangay Patin-ay, Prosperidad, this province.

The said 24 FRs are target beneficiaries of the Executive Order No. 70 (EO70), a government policy on "Institutionalizing the Whole-of a-Nation Approach to End Local Communist Armed Conflict" in attaining inclusive and sustainable peace in our country which aims to address the root causes of insurgency to end local armed conflict in the countryside.

The FRs are just a few amongst our enlightened brothers and sisters who finally went back to the mainstream of the government and living a more peaceful life since their surrender. “Dako kaayo akong pasalamat tungod sa sunod sunod nga benepisyo nga among nadawat gikan sa gobyerno. Kining maong kantidad daku na kaayo ug gikatabang sa among pamilya aron kami maka sukad sa among pag plastar sa among bag-o nga kinabuhi (We are very thankful for the various benefits that we have received from the government. This cash assistance is of great help already to support our family, as we opted to start a new life in a peaceful community)," alias Rey said.

The PSWD which forms part of the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) headed Agusan del Sur Governor Santiago Cane, Jr., released the cash assistance to the former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army – National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) and Militia ng Bayan (MB) to restore their allegiance to the Philippine government. “We are committed to help and assist the needs of our brothers and sisters who went back to the fold of law in their new beginning. The government will help you in providing what you need to start a new life," he said.

Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Reynald Romel Goce, 26IB Commanding Officer, expressed his gratitude to the PTF-ELCAC for its active and unending support in implementing the EO70. "The PTF-ELCAC of AgSur is exhibiting its good character by showing full commitment in implementing the EO70. As our peace partners, we are glad working with the Provincial Government in attaining lasting peace in our province," he said.

"The government is more than willing to assist those who want to come back in the folds of law. Once they surrender, we will be providing them the government programs and initiatives that would help them in re-building a more peaceful life together with their loved ones,” Goce added.
Currently, there are 157 FRs from 26IB, 74) of them already received benefits from the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP), 74 await awarding and 9 are for enrollment. The ECLIP is a government program intended for the reintegration of all members of the CPP-NPA-NDF who will surrender and support the peace negotiation program of the government. (2Lt. Cecille Tappa, acting CMO officer, 26IB, PA/PIA-Agusan del Sur)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1073693