CITY OF TABUK, Kalinga, Aug 22(PIA) - - Government awarded financial assistance to two Militia ng Bayan enrollees to the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) on Friday at Capitol here.
A 22- year old male from Apatan, Pinukpuk received P50,000 for his hog raising livelihood plus P15,000 immediate assistance. The 28 year- old married woman from Bagumbayan, Tabuk city also received P50,000 for her palay production livelihood and P15,000 immediate assistance.
Governor Ferdinand Tubban awarded the benefits witnessed by ECLIP members - DILG Provincial Director Mayer Max Adong, PNP Provincial Director Davy Vicente Limmong, Capt. Ben Cawa of 503rd Brigade, PSWDO Digna Dalutag, and Peter Balocnit of the Philippine Information Agency with the special presence of Pinukpuk Police Chief Master Sergeant Johnny Yogyog.
The provincial local government unit (LGU) during their profiling earlier gave the duo P5,000 each and 25 kilos of rice.
Tubban welcomed the former militia members hoping for others who are still undecided to resurface . The government he said is open for rebel returnees to rejoin mainstream society,.
He said what was awarded is a start-up for them to engage in livelihood. The LGU will still look on their other needs.
Tubban advised the two to still engage on other income generating livelihood. “Nu gagetam ket mabiyag ka ken awan papanana nu di ag progreso. Mabalin met agtaraken ti manok wenno dadduma nga dingwen, ken nu adda bassit nga daga nu mulaam, dakkel itulong na ti pamilya,” he said.
Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Digna Dalutag also assured the enrollees of other assistance like training or accessing them to the services of agencies. “We hope that your respective livelihood will prosper. You expect us to monitor their progress,” she said.
Provincial PNP Director Davy Vicente Limmong congratulated the two for coming back to the folds of the law and challenged them to become models for others to emulate especially those who are still connected with the New People’s Army.
He assured them that the PNP will provide security if their lives are endangered or being threatened by their former comrades.
Captain Ben Cawa of the 503rd Brigade thanked the two returnees of their wise decision. “Awan met naala yo idi adda kayo ti banbantay, sunga salamat unay ta napanunut yo nga nagsubli ti sidung ti gobyerno,” he said.
Yogyog who exerted efforts in facilitating the return of the male returnee expressed Pinukpuk Municipal Station’s gratitude for trusting them during the process of convincing him to enroll under ECLIP.
Meanwhile, Provincial DILG Director Mayer Max Adong encouraged the enrollees to join the Kalinga Returnees Association in order to avail of services offered by government offices to organized groups. (JDP/PAB-PIA CAR, Kalinga)
