By Alexander Lopez
BUTUAN CITY – Sixty-six former combatants of the communist New People’s Army (NPA), who surrendered to the government individually last year, were awarded PHP5.3 million in financial assistance through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) during a ceremony in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur.
“ECLIP serves as a platform to support communist rebels and address their economic, social, and psychological rehabilitation requirements,” stated Surigao del Sur Governor Alexander Pimentel in a Thursday statement.
On Wednesday, Pimentel and Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. distributed the ECLIP assistance to the ex-rebels.
In collaboration with various agencies, Pimentel assured the provincial government will continue to assist the former rebels until they are fully rehabilitated and reunited with their families in their respective communities.
The former rebels also received separate assistance worth PHP660,000 from the different government line agencies, particularly from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Health, the Department of Agriculture, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, the Department of Labor and Employment, and PhilHealth.
Among those who received assistance was “Benny” who surrendered to the government late last year after nearly five years inside the rebel movement.
“After my surrender, the government helped me rebuild my life through skills training programs. With the assistance I received, I can now start my livelihood in our barangay,” he said in the vernacular during a phone interview on Thursday.
Benny also hoped that other rebels still suffering inside the movement would see the benefits they gained after their surrender. (PNA)
