Thursday, February 11, 2016

977 former rebels to get P63.5-million financial assistance



Around P63.5-million in financial assistance will be provided to a targeted 977 former rebels (FRs) who are projected to surrender this year under the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG’s) Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP).

CLIP is a peace building and social protection program for former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines, New People’s Army and National Democratic Front who have decided to abandon armed struggle, return to the folds of the law and rejoin the society.

“The goal is to facilitate the mainstreaming of FRs as productive citizens and enhance capacities of local government units (LGUs) and National Government Agencies (NGAs) in the implementation and sustainability of the CLIP,” said DILG Secretary Mel Senen S. Sarmiento.

Under the program, P15,000 is given per FR as an immediate assistance for mobilization expenses while the FR’s enrolment in the CLIP is being processed. Another P50,000 is given for livelihood assistance per FR.

Aside from CLIP financial aid, the government also offers cash incentives in exchange for their high-caliber firearms. Firearms remuneration depends on the type of firearms surrendered by FRs.

The DILG Secretary said FRs are also given security guarantees by the LGU or police force in cooperation with the military from the time the FR had surfaced, and while the FR is enrolled under the CLIP.

FRs as well as their families and communities also undergo healing and reconciliation initiatives to provide psycho-social support, he said.

Additional assistance may include capacity building, skills trainings, provision of shelter and legal assistance, among others.

The CLIP began in 2014 with 347 FR enrollees and increased last year to 643 enrolled FRs. Before CLIP, the government has implemented similar programs to encourage former rebels to return to the fold of the law, such as the National Reconciliation and Development Program (NRDP) in 1986, the new NRDP in 1992, National Program for Unification and Development (NPUD) in 1994, the Expanded NPUD “Balik-loob Program” in 2000 and the Social Integration Program implemented from 2007 until 2010.

Further recognizing that peace-building is a shared effort, the DILG actively participates in the National Serbisyo Caravan which is being held in several areas in the country.

The 5th Serbisyo Caravan has just culminated in Gingoog, Misamis Oriental last February 2-4, 2016.

Through the National Serbisyo Caravan, different government agencies deliver services directly to geographically isolated, underdeveloped, and conflict-affected areas. (DILG)

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