84 former NPA rebels get gov’t aid via E-CLIP

BUTUAN CITY – Eighty four former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Southern Mindanao recently received government support through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program or E-CLIP, Capt. Jerry S. Lamosao, chief Public Affairs Office (PAO) of the Army’s 10th Infantry (Agila) Division (10th ID) said.

In a statement sent to the Manila Bulletin late Friday afternoon, the 10th ID PAO officer said officials of the Task Force “Balik Loob” awarded different government assistance programs to the former NPA rebels during a simple ceremony at the Capitol Building in Cabadianan, Nabunturan, Compostela Valley last Thursday.

The activity is an offshoot of the Administrative Order Number 10 signed by President Duterte on April 10, 2018, converging the Comprehensive Local Integration Program of DILG and programs of interventions of different government agencies to former rebels to prepare them to be integrated in the mainstream society, Capt. Lamosao said.

The provincial government of ComVal had conducted benchmarking on the Happy Home in Davao Oriental, the only facility in the whole country which houses and caters to former rebels undergoing rehabilitation and training in preparation of their reintegration to the mainstream society, the 10th ID PAO officer claimed.

Aside from free skills training from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Livelihood Program, other interventions under E-CLIP may include PhilHealth enrolment, housing, legal assistance and other social interventions, Lamosao said.