Former rebels set to enjoy more benefits
Former rebels set to enjoy more benefits
DAVAO ORIENTAL – A downpour of new benefits awaits former rebels amid the government’s implementation of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip) set to entice more members of the Communist insurgent group to return to the fold of the law.
During the E-Clip convergence meeting held here on Thursday, June 21, representatives from the national government have presented the salient features of the newly improved program.
According to the Department of National Defense (DND), the program will highlight synergy and convergence as it will tap all key agencies from the national down to the local government in providing holistic interventions for the seamless integration of former rebels into the mainstream society.
“Its purpose is to bring together and harmonize the various programs of the government into one, big, cohesive program. It shall be part of a whole of government approach to address the communist insurgency, and defeat it at the soonest possible time,” Beatrice Esguerra who represented Lt. General Reynaldo Mapagu of the DND’s Task Force BalikDAVAO Loob said, stressing the program is also aligned with the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ campaign to address insurgency threats.
Benefits Under the revitalized program, former rebels and their dependents will enjoy the downpour of more benefits. Among them is the increase of reintegration assistance from P7,000 to P21,000. It will also retain the existing Clip’s P15,000 immediate assistance and P50,000 livelihood assistance. Firearms remuneration will also be doubled depending on the weapon’s condition upon surrender. The cost valuation, based on the implementing guidelines and procedures for the disposition of firearms, explosives, and ammunition, issued by the Department of Interior and Local Government, will be “based on the standard price ceiling set for a particular kind, caliber and make of firearm and its condition upon turn in”.
While some of the other services of the E-CLIP have already been provided at Davao Oriental’s Happy Home – a halfway house for former rebels, such as medical, psychological and educational assistance, among others, the program will also now include employment assistance from concerned government agencies; access to government services such as enrolment to Philhealth and securing of government documents; Modified Conditional Cash Transfer from Social Welfare Department; loan and market access; legal assistance; college tuition and stipend; and projects under the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan for communities wherein the former rebels will be integrated.
Moreover, among the program’s major highlights is the housing program for former rebels, a priority project identified by the provincial government in support to the program’s sustainability and community-building phase.
Assistant Secretary Alexander Macario of the DILG’s Peace and Security said: “this is the time the government should fasttrack its interventions for former rebels amidst the government’s deferred peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines, New People’s Army, National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).”