At least P186,000.00 in reintegration assistance would be given to two former members of the New People’s Army who recently surrendered in Catanduanes under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
Last May 20, 2024 at a conference room at the Provincial Capitol, the erstwhile NPA regulars were presented to Governor Joseph Cua, chairman of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) for the formal awarding of the assistance packages amounting to a total of P65,000 administered by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
These packages consist of P15,000 in Immediate Assistance, P50,000 as Livelihood Assistance and P21,000 as Reintegration Assistance, with part of the latter serving as reimbursement for the reintegration costs of the receiving unit.
The provincial government of Catanduanes is also giving P100,000 each to the ex-rebels to help them rejoin the mainstream of society.
This does not include the government’s remuneration of firearms surrendered by the former rebels.
One of the recipients turned over an M-16 rifle, for which he was remunerated the sum of P42,518 under the updated price ceilings of firearms of the PNP Firearms and Explosive Office.
The other former rebel gave up two M-16 rifles, which would have to be evaluated by the PNP-FEO as to its serviceability.
Gov. Cua expressed his hope that the province would soon attain “zero insurgency” status so that the tourism industry would grow further.
Also present during the ceremony were DILG Provincial Director Uldarico Razal Jr., Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Roselle Navar, Catanduanes Police Provincial Director Col. Rayan Ador, and Capt. Jose Neil Enriquez, commanding officer of Delta Company, 83rd Infantry Battation of the 9th Infantry Division.
According to a source, both ex-NPA regulars originally hailed from mainland Bicol and were recruited into the communist movement when they were already on the island.
One of them was already married at the time and, with the government offering him a chance to reunite with his growing family, he grabbed the chance to live a peaceful life after over a decade in the mountains.
Several of his children are already working in Metro Manila while one is now employed by the national government.
The other man, who remains single since taking up arms against the government six years ago, allegedly seized the opportunity to escape during an encounter with government soldiers sometime ago, taking with him the two Armalite rifles.
Any weapon surrendered is evaluated as to its condition, with those in good condition given an equivalent cost valuation of 100% of the price ceiling.
If some parts of the firearm require repair for them to function, it is evaluated as being in fair condition with a valuation of 50% of the price ceiling.
Non-functional firearms, on the other hand, are assessed to be in scrap condition, for which the FR will receive only 10% of the price ceiling.
The E-CLIP assistance is given to qualified regular members of the NPA and the Militia ng Bayan (MB) who surfaced on April 3, 2018 and onwards and have expressed the desire to abandon armed violence and become productive members of society.
Pursuant to a memorandum agreement, the immediate assistance of P15,000 per FR is supposed to be released for mobilization expenses while his or her enrolment in the ECLIP is being processed.
The PNP also secures any firearm surrendered for appropriate processing and evaluation, with the FR placed in a halfway house after authentication of his status.
During the implementation phase, the FR is assisted by the local SWDO in securing a government ID and provided an orientation on livelihood planning, skills training, training on financial management, orientation on employment opportunities as well as available educational or vocational programs.
After he or she is discharged from the halfway house, the former rebel is granted the livelihood assistance, along with PhilHealth enrolment, support for the relocation of the family, psycho-social support and provision of shelter and legal assistance if necessary.