ELEVEN FORMER rebels will now have the chance to start a new life after receiving a total of PHP964,000 worth of assistance from the government's Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
In a statement late Wednesday, Department of National Defense (DND) spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said each of the former rebels received a check worth PHP86,000 in a ceremony at the 2nd Infantry Division (2ID) headquarters at Camp Capinpin, Tanay, Rizal last July 13.
He added Task Force Balik Loob (TFBL) chair, DND undersecretary Reynaldo Mapagu, spearheaded these activities organized by 2ID commander Maj. Gen. Arnulfo Burgos.
During the event, Mapagu reminded the former rebels to avail of the other benefits of the program like housing and medical benefits, as well as livelihood skills training offered by member agencies like the National Housing Authority, Philippine Health Insurance Corp., Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the Department of Trade and Industry.
He expressed hope that all active members of the New People's Army will avail of this opportunity for peace and return to the folds of the law. Eight of these former rebels are members of indigenous tribes in Rizal and Quezon and will be receiving further assistance and benefits under the National Council for Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).
"TFBL assured all FRs (former rebels) that TFBL will continue to work on ensuring that all former rebels will receive all the benefits under E-CLIP," Andolong said.
E-CLIP is the flagship program of the Duterte administration that seeks to effect social healing and national unity through a whole-of-nation approach, towards the higher objective of having just and lasting peace.
It provides social equity to former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front and the Militia ng Bayan by devising a different modality of giving benefits and services to the former rebels, in order to reintegrate them into mainstream society. (
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