KAPATAGAN, Lanao del Norte (PIA) – Amidst the fight against COVID-19, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Lanao del Norte is still steadfast on its efforts to end local communist armed conflict and released the financial assistance worth Php 256,000 to three former rebels (FRs) here.
Through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) of the DILG, the FRs received Php 86,000 each, comprised of immediate assistance worth Php 15,000, livelihood assistance worth Php 50,000, and reintegration assistance worth Php 21,000.00 for them to start anew with their families in the mainstream society.
Cash assistance will also be given for their firearm remuneration.
DILG 10 Regional Director Arnel M. Agabe commends the FRs saying, “We laud our FRs here in Lanao del Norte for heeding the call of the government to return to the folds of the law and start a new life.”
He further urged them to encourage other rebels they have been with to surrender while financial assistance is still being provided.
The awarding of assistance was given on August 14 during the Launching and Operationalization of Executive Order (EO) No. 70 at Brgy. San Isidro, this municipality.
Kapatagan Mayor Barry Y. Baguio stated that after four months of anticipating for EO 70 to be launched in Barangay San Isidro, the activity was even made more symbolic because of the turn-over of E-CLIP assistance to the FRs by the DILG, together with the Municipal Government of Kapatagan.
The E-CLIP grants a full package of assistance to FRs who abandon armed struggle to become productive members of the society.
DILG-Lanao del Norte Provincial Director Bruce Augusto Colao, through his representative, LGOO Merychell Seronay, assured the people of San Isidro that the province imparts this goal with them and he is positive that more rebels will surrender through this program.
He added that the E-CLIP financial assistance is one of the strategies of the “Whole-of-Nation Approach” to end local communist armed conflict which aims to address the root causes of insurgencies and other armed conflicts and threats by prioritizing and harmonizing the delivery of basic services and social development packages by the government.
To capacitate the FRs, government agencies such as the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the National Housing Authority (NHA) work together to identify and supply their needs. (DILG Lanao del Norte/PIA ICIC)
