A former rebel surrendered his firearm to Catanduanes Governor Joseph C. Cua as part of the Task Force Balik-Loob of the province.
The ceremonial turnover was held at the Provincial Capitol Conference Room last Tuesday, November 27.
According to the province, the said Task Force Balik-Loob is under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), which is a “centerpiece program of the government’s localized peace process, which integrates and consolidates the benefits and services of all national and local agencies and local government units for former rebels and their families.”
The rebel returnee shared some stories of his plight during the ceremony. He said that he’s a native of San Miguel, Catanduanes, and was not able to attend school and was orphaned at a young age. He worked as an abaca farmer before he was recruited in the communist group.
“Receiving an initial P15,000 cash assistance from the governor and another P15,000 from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the former rebel will also receive numerous benefits from key government agency partners,” the provincial government said.
“These include reintegration assistance, firearm remuneration, livelihood assistance, housing, conditional transitional grant, livelihood materials and implements or employment assistance, access to government service, loan and market access, medical assistance, alternative learning system, psychosocial assistance, college tuition and stipend, and legal assistance,” it added.
Meanwhile, Governor Cua congratulated the rebel returnee for his “courage” for surrendering to the government.
“Peace and order the province is vital in its development and progress. Kung magulo ang ating probinsiya, walang investor na maglalakas-loob na mag-invest dito,” he said.
To signify the support for the program, Governor Cua inked Executive Order No. 42, series of 2018 which constitutes the E-CLIP committee in the provincial level.
According to the province, thee committee shall function to ensure the convergent effort in the delivery of the identified services of the E-CLIP, among others.
“Siguro this time, dahil localized na ang programa natin, mas magiging effective ito,” Governor Cua noted.