DAVAO CITY--At least 100 former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) who surrendered to the government received over PHP2.4-million financial aid from the Department of Social and Welfare Development in Davao Region (DSWD-11), the Davao de Oro provincial government said in a statement on Wednesday.
Each rebel returnee received PHP20,000 under DSWD's Sustainable Livelihood Program’s-Livelihood Settlement Grant (SLP-LSG), including an additional PHP4,000 for food and assistance as part of the government's Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Programs (ECLIP), during Tuesday's distribution activity.
Kerwin Gabasa, DSWD-11 focal person, said the assistance is intended for conflict-affected and vulnerable areas, including former rebels.
“This assistance would help them start their livelihood as they start their new life with their families,” Gabasa said.
Davao de Oro Gov. Jayvee Tyron Uy hopes the financial assistance would give former rebels "peace of mind as they intend to live a normal life in the mainstream society".
Tatay Boby, one of the former rebels who received the aid, expressed gratitude to the government for the financial assistance, even as he urged his fellow returnees to be prudent in spending the money they received from the government. (PNA)
P2.4-M financial aid released to ex-rebels in Davao de Oro
By Che Palicte
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