COVID-19 cannot stop the government from its reintegration efforts.
A total of 29 Former Rebels (FRs) received the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-administered package assistance under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
DILG-Isabela in partnership with the Provincial Government of Isabela (PGI) and Municipal Government of San Mariano awarded the assistance on July 9, 2020 at the Headquarters, 95th Infantry Battalion, Barangay Zone 1, San Mariano, Isabela.
Isabela Governor Rodolfo T. Albano, III, San Mariano Municipal Mayor Edgar T. Go, MGen Pablo M. Lorenzo, BGen Laurence E. Mina, LTC Gladiuz C. Calilan, LTC Ali A. Alejo, DILG-Isabela Provincial Director Engr. Corazon D. Toribio and members of Isabela ECLIP Committee spearheaded the distribution of checks to the FRs.
19 former members of the Militia ng Bayan received P 15,000 each as immediate assistance while 10 former regular NPA members were awarded with P65,000.00 which includes P50,000 as livelihood assistance. Some of the former rebels also surrendered firearms which will be remunerated depending on the valuation of the AFP, PNP and DILG.
The PGI thru the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office also extended food packs for the beneficiaries.
During the activity,PD Toribio lauded the efforts of the 86th Infantry Battalion led by LTC Ali A Alejo and 95th Infantry Battalion led by LTC Gladiuz C Calilan in their efforts to facilitate the initial reintegration of the former rebels. She likewise ensured the beneficiaries of the relentless effort of the government in extending assistance to them in spite of the COVID 19 pandemic.
“Hindi po nagtatapos dito sa pagbibigay ng pera ang tulong ng gobyerno. Kitaen mi pay met nu sumayaat iti biag yo ta haan lang daytoy ti tulong ti gobyerno. Adu pay apu. Ngem masapul nga dawaten mi met iti pakitinnulong yu kanyami. (Government’s assistance to you will not end here. We will see how your living conditions will become better. We need your cooperation to our endeavors.) ”, PD Toribio added.
Meanwhile, Governor Albano assured the incessant support of the PGI to the FRs. As an assistance of the PGI, he said that the PGI will shoulder the monthly payment of the former rebels under the Social Security System (SSS) and Pag-IBIG for two (2) consecutive years.
“Nandito kami para mag-aruga sa inyo at tutulong sa inyong lahat. Baka iniisip niyo baka ngayon lang namin ibibigay ‘to. Walang kwenta kung ngayon lang ang disposisyon ng pera. Yang mga cheke niyo, mauubos yan sa ilang buwan pa lang. Isipin niyo kung saan niyo ilalagay ang pera niyo. Ako, tutulungan ko kayo para masustain ang kabuhayan niyo. Ang tulong naming ay tuloy tuloy hanggang sa maitaas ninyo ng antas ang buhay niyo. (We are here to care and help you. You might be thinking that our assistance will end here. The financial assistance provided to you may last only for months. Think carefully where you will put your money. I will help you in sustaining your livelihood. Our assistance will continue until your living conditions will improve.)”, Gov. Albano said.
The FRs will be monitored regularly to assess their status and progress to determine other assistance that the Provincial Government, Committee member-agencies and partner agencies may extend to them.
Since the implementation of the ECLIP last 2018, the DILG-Isabela records the highest number of awardees with a total number of 29 FRs as of July 9, 2020. (Source: LGOO II LIZETH B. YAGO)
