ILOILO – The government’s campaign to reintegrate former insurgents into mainstream society gained fresh momentum after nine rebel returnees in Iloilo Province received livelihood assistance under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
The former rebels personally received their financial assistance during a turnover ceremony at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol on Wednesday, May 20, led by Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Iloilo provincial director Carmelo Orbista, Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, Acting Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office head Rani Melvi Cuarte, along with representatives from the Philippine Army and Philippine National Police.
Each rebel returnee received P50,000 in livelihood assistance and an additional P15,000 in immediate financial assistance from the DILG and the Iloilo Provincial Government.
Aside from the nine rebel returnees, four militia members also received P15,000 each in financial assistance.
E-CLIP is a national government program aimed at helping former rebels and insurgents reintegrate into society by providing them with financial aid, livelihood opportunities, and support services to help them rebuild their lives.
Authorities said the program seeks to encourage more rebels to surrender peacefully and return to productive civilian life while strengthening peace and development efforts in local communities./PN
