27/06/2021
14 Former Rebels Receive Aid Through E-CLIP Program
Camp Leon Kilat, Tanjay City, Negros Oriental – A total of 14 Former Rebels (FRs) received financial and livelihood assistance through National Government's Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) in a ceremony at the Plenary Hall, Convention Center, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental on Thursday, June 24, 2021.
Each FR received immediate assistance worth 15,000, six (6) FRs received livelihood assistance worth 50,000 pesos, and four (4) FRs with fi****ms remuneration.
Hon Roel R Degamo, the E-CLIP Committee Chair and Colonel Leonardo I Peña, the Brigade Commander of the 302nd Infantry Brigade formally turned over the cash assistance to the beneficiaries.
The distribution of benefits and cash assistance is part of the government’s ECLIP program for former CTG members who surfaced and returned to the folds of the law and embraced a peaceful life together with their families.
Hon Degamo lauded the beneficiaries for making the right decision to surrender to the government and abandoned the armed struggle. He emphasized that the provincial government strongly campaigns to achieve a genuine peace and progress in Negros Oriental.
“We, in partnership with other government agencies, are doing our best to address the insurgency problem in the province. Likewise, we are working together to attain our goal of insurgency-free Negros Island,” Degamo said.
Director Leocadio T Trovela of the Department of the Interior and Local Government Region 7 said in his message that through the help of the government’s E-CLIP, the FRs could start their life together with their loved ones.
Meanwhile, Secretary Michael Lloyd L Dino from the Office of the Presidential Adviser for the Visayas welcomed the former rebels and conveyed his heartfelt gratitude.
“The E.O 70 is promulgated to centralize all government efforts to reintegrate former rebels and maximize socio-economic and political impact in the communities,” Dino added.
Colonel Peña, in his statement, reminded the former rebels to use the financial and livelihood assistance wisely in order to sustain their daily living.
“This is our plea to the other members of the Communist Terrorist Groups in the island of Negros; lay down your arms peacefully and let our democratic government help you to live normally as your previous comrades did. Our government is sincere and committed to help you, together with your family, in order to rebuild your lives,” Col Peña added.
