Government benefits set for former rebels

BAGUIO CITY -- Benefits are available for rebels who join  the folds of the law accessed under the government’s whole of nation approach program to end local armed conflict (ELCAC).

Department of Interior and Local Government Cordillera (DILG-CAR) Regional Director Marlo Iringan said there are still benefits for former rebels (FRs) supposed to be accessed from some concerned agencies.

He bared this in the recently convened meeting under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) cluster members of the Cordillera Regional Task Force-End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC).

In the past, there were funds downloaded to the DILG Regional Office under the CLIP program but were hardly touched as there were only few rebels who surrendered, Iringan said. Rebel returnees were extended financial assistance, re-integration assistance, processing and administrative cost.

Under the ECLIP, benefits were expanded which included identified assistance from the different national government agencies and were given priority.

Local Government Monitoring and Evaluation Division Chief Marleen Guerzon said there are documentary requirements for the FR to acquire reintegration assistance, immediate assistance and livelihood such as a certification tagged as Joint Armed Forces of the Philippines – Philippine National Police (JAPIC) which is the source of an authenticity of an FR and also an E-CLIP enrollment form.

                For the National Housing Authority, there are 30 identified FR beneficiaries who can avail in either of the packages such as house construction worth P450, 000.000, house repair worth P100, 000.00 or lot purchase worth P450, 000.

Other agencies that extend assistance to FRs are the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority  for  skills training, the Department of Agriculture, Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process under the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) program, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Education among others.

Iringan said the government hopes to “provide light to FRs who have been in darkness for so long, provide gladness in their hearts when they are not able to stand on their own. We will see to it that pardon will come, and that we contribute in making their lives better.” (JDP/SCA-PIA CAR)