Financial assistance given to former rebs

By Francis Degay

BONTOC, Mountain Province -- Two rebel returnees who had been operating in this province recently received P5,000 each from the provincial government of Mountain Province.

Gov. Leonard Mayaen gave the money as financial assistance in simple rites at his office witnessed by representatives of the Philippine National Police, Philippine Army and offices of the Provincial Treasury and Social Welfare and Development.

The identities of the rebel returnees were not divulged due to security reasons.

Both rebel returnees thanked Mayaen for his support and inspiration to members of the communist movement to come down from the mountains and enjoy the life of ordinary citizens.

Mayaen said that P2 million was budgeted for 2011 for the livelihood programs of rebel returnees in the province.

Though the implementing guidelines are still being finalized, he said that a rebel returnee who surrenders to the government shall be given P5,000 per month as honorarium on condition that he or she must work as a road maintenance worker or plant fruit trees in public lands or does other community works from Monday to Friday where the returnee is residing.

The rebel returnee shall maintain daily time record that shall be signed by the barangay chairman at the end of the month.

Mayaen said he is concerned about the bad circumstances brought about by dissidents living in the mountains.

He said the administration has programs that respond to bickering of some rebels on employment and rehabilitation and concreting of road networks and other infrastructure projects.

The governor also pointed out that rebel returnees can pursue their studies through the ongoing Alternative Learning System (ALS) of the Department of Education or the skills training program of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

Mayaen said, to avoid unscrupulous individuals availing of financial assistance from government, a legitimate process must be undertaken.

This should pass evaluation and approval of the Philippine National Police, Philippine Army and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Mayaen promised to extend financial assistance to rebel returnees as long as he is the provincial executive.