A member of the New People’s Army in Catanduanes who surrendered to the government has been granted a housing unit to enable him and his family in starting a new life.
Accompanied by other surrenderers, the former guerilla, identified only as “Miyo,” received the ownership papers for the rowhouse unit last week from officers of the Catanduanes 2nd Police Mobile Force Company, National Housing Authority (NHA) Principal Engineer Dan Joseph Uchi of the Albay/Catanduanes District Office, Virac LGU Community Affairs Officer I Jennifer Bailon and other local officials.
In a press release, the Catanduanes 2nd PMFC said the free housing unit granted under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) would serve as a foundation of the former rebel’s return to society as a responsible citizen.
“Miyo” expressed his gratitude to the government for the housing assistance and said that it is yet another opportunity for him to start normal life again.
In response, the Catanduanes 2nd PMFC called their brothers who are members of the CPP/NPA/NDF to follow in Miyo’s footsteps and embrace peace and change.
The government’s doors are always open for those who desire to reunite with their families and participate in the development and progress of the nation, it said.
The E-CLIP is a program that seeks to help members of the CPP-NPA-NDF and “Militia ng Bayan” (People’s Militia) who would like to reintegrate back into their families, communities, and the society as a whole. Through this program, they are given the assistance, training, and skills they need to start a new life with their families.
It may be recalled that in May 2024, two former NPA members were each granted at least P186,000.00 in reintegration assistance under the program.
The grant consisted of P65,000.00 from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG): 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 also gave 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, who surrendered a total of three (3) M16 rifles, each of which is worth P42,518 under the updated price ceilings of firearms of the PNP Firearms and Explosive Office especially if still serviceable.
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.