CITY OF TABUK, Kalinga– Twenty four former rebels (FRs) who joined mainstream society under the Comprehensive Local Integration Program or CLIP in the province this year have been given assistance to live a normal life.
Under CLIP, the former rebels were given reintegration support amounting to P15,000.00 immediate assistance, firearms remuneration of which amount depends on valuation of firearm surrendered, and livelihood assistance worth P50,000.00.
Eusebia Haddac of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office and CLIP focal person, reported that the 24 FRs were recommended to work as “bantay gubat” under the National Greening Program of the government.
The CLIP committee in its recent meeting verified that these FRs are enrolled in Philhealth with some sponsored under PAMANA and others through the National Household Targeting System.
To sustain their livelihood and organize themselves to engage in bigger enterprises, the livelihood sub-committee chaired by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and PSWDO as members was tasked to plan the conduct capacity building for the group to include preparation of project proposals.
Meanwhile, Engr. Eduardo Tamayao of TESDA announced that the Agency offers technical-vocational scholarship training for FRs who are interested to acquire skills.
Anthony Luminang of the DOLE assured assistance to former rebels who are organized and registered with DOLE. He said their dependents and other family members can join the association to meet the 21 minimum number of members, and they can propose any project they are capable of managing and sustaining.
Edwin Muyao of DAR said they can assist in organizing former rebels, conducting training for the group and also providing livelihood assistance. **By Peter A. Balocnit
