Google map of the Misamis Oriental town of Villanueva.
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- Twenty-five former rebels in the Misamis Oriental town of Villanueva have received cash aid amounting to PHP2.5 million after they qualified for the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
A statement from the Army's 58th Infantry Battalion (5IB) Thursday evening said each former rebel received PHP15,000 in immediate assistance, PHP50,000 in livelihood assistance, and PHP21,000 in reintegration assistance.
They were also given remunerations for every surrendered firearm.
E-Clip is a government program that aims to assist rebels who have surrendered to the government and further reintegrate into mainstream society.
The 25 former rebels participated in the Balik-Loob Program, which includes a series of psychosocial activities and deradicalization procedures.
Also included in their training were seminars on financial literacy and other livelihood training like coffee brewing and table skirting facilitated by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the Department of Trade and Industry.
Marisia Naybe, Provincial Director of the Interior and Local Government in Misamis Oriental, said the E-CLIP has been instrumental in transforming the lives of former NPA rebels.
"Please keep in mind that we are the true government that will care for you; all you have to do is talk to us so that we can help you," Naybe told the former rebels during an aid distribution activity early this week. (PNA)
