BALER, Aurora: Six former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Aurora province received financial assistance through the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), according to a military report on Thursday.
According to Philippines News Agency, acting commanding officer of the Philippine Army’s 91st Infantry Battalion, the former rebels were awarded a total of PHP340,000 at a ceremony held at the Aurora Trading Center in Barangay Calabuanan, Baler. The financial aid was presented by Reynante Tolentino Jr., on behalf of his father, Governor Reynante Tolentino.
Quinto thanked the E-CLIP provincial committee for supporting the reintegration of the former rebels (FRs) into society. He encouraged the recipients to invest the financial aid in livelihood projects to support themselves and their families.
The E-CLIP provincial committee consists of various agencies, including the Aurora Police Provincial Office, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, local government units, and religious leaders. The program is designed to provide former NPA members with the resources to become productive members of society after abandoning the armed struggle.