BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines – Over P750,000 worth of financial assistance and cash for surrendered firearms were awarded to 27 former rebels during a ceremony at the Social Hall of the Provincial Capitol Building on 22 June 2022.
The insurgents who surrendered to the 62IB, 79IB, and 94IB through the Provincial Task Force –ELCAC (PTF-ELCAC), each received a cheque from the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental through the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) as livelihood assistance.
Nineteen FRs, who were regular NPA members, were granted “Immediate Assistance and Livelihood Assistance” amounting to 570,000 pesos, six who were members of Militia ng Bayan (MB) received “Immediate Assistance” worth 90,000 pesos, while the remaining two got Firearm Remuneration of 109,000 pesos.
The Immediate Assistance is part of the Enhanced – Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) that provides FRs and their family members financial assistance including firearms remuneration, half-way house assistance, health and medical insurance, educational assistance, housing assistance, modified conditional cash transfer, legal assistance, and healing and reconciliation initiatives.
The said cheques were personally given by Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose V. Lacson in the presence of high-ranking provincial capitol officials.
