IBA, Zambales — Two former rebels in the province of Zambales received a total of P80,000 financial assistance under the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) to help them start anew in the mainstream society and improve their living conditions.

A former Militia ng Bayan member received P15,000 as immediate assistance while a former guerilla of the New People’s Army (NPA) got P65,000 in immediate and livelihood assistance during a ceremony held at the Balin Sambali in this town on June 16.

The checks were presented by Governor Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr., along with DILG Zambales Provincial Director Armi V. Bactad, 1Lt Norman Oliver H. Adlaon of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, PMaj Bryant B. Odien of the Zambales Provincial Police Office, and Carmela D. Pacis of Provincial Social Welfare & Development Office.

In the awarding, Ebdane gave his appreciation to the surrenderees and asked for their cooperation to reintegrate back to the community, be with their families, and start over with their new lives.

He also thanked the national government agencies in helping to end the local communist armed conflict in the province by supporting the government’s peace and development efforts.

“Napapanahon na talaga para magising tayo. ‘Yung ginagawa ng ating pambansang pamahalaan sa pangunguna ng ating Pangulong Digong Duterte ay isang malaking bagay, kasi ito ‘yung tinatawag natin na pinagsama-samang pamamaraan para mapigilan na itong problema natin,” Ebdane said, referring to the problem of insurgency.

Bactad meanwhile lauded the former rebels for deciding to return to the fold of the law and assured them of continuous assistance from the national government, especially with the implementation of Executive Order No. 70, or the whole-of-nation approach that aims to address the root causes of insurgency to end local armed conflict in the countryside.

To this date, DILG Zambales has distributed a total of P1.39-million worth of immediate and livelihood assistance to 27 former rebels.

Aside from the financial assistance, the rebel returnees also received gift packs from Gov. Ebdane.

The E-CLIP program, which provides a complete package of assistance to former rebels, is one of the flagship programs of the current administration that seeks to address social healing and national unity toward the higher objective of having just and lasting peace. — Denver S. Yumul and King Andrew Phil A. Apsay