6 Mt Province ex-rebels get gov’t fund assistance

BONTOC, Mountain Province -- The Dept. of Interior and Local Government recently granted financial assistance to six former rebels (FRs) under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP).

Five were former Militia ng Bayan (MB) members   while one was a regular member of the communist armed group.

After completing the required processes, each of them received an immediate assistance of P15, 000.

Livelihood assistance of P50, 000 was given to the regular member. Two availed of the firearm remuneration worth P130, 000.

                Authorities advised recipients to use the assistance properly for them to live more productively. 

 With the transfer of CLIP to the Dept. of Local Government from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process and Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2018-01 dated July 5, 2018 which provides guidelines for the DILG- administered package of assistance for former rebels, ECLIP in the province has assisted 14 FRs (nine regular members and five MB) from 2018 to date.

P210,000.00 was released for immediate assistance to 14 FRs, P450,000 for livelihood assistance to nine FRs, and P1,026,000 firearm remuneration for  nine  who surrendered firearms.

                Reintegration assistance was also provided to defray cost of FR while in the custody of the receiving unit, and other incidental expenses that may be incurred while processing the Joint AFP-PNP intelligence committee (JAPIC) certification to be entitled to E-CLIP.

                The complete package of assistance to FRs under ECLIP applies to members of the CPP-NPA-NDF as well as their immediate family members who have surfaced starting April 3, 2018 onwards  and have expressed their desire to abandon  the armed struggle  or  those who  surrendered starting July 1, 2016  but have not received  full assistance under CLIP. (JDP/JBS-PIA CAR, Mt. Province)