Twenty-six former rebels (FRs) received Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) benefits after completing their livelihood training on July 6, 2019, in Happy Home Mati City, Davao Oriental. The FRs received the National Certificate 1 from
the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) after undergoing training for more than one month on Shielded Metal Arc Welding; they are the first batch of graduates for 2019. They also graduated from the Alternative Learning System (ALS).

The former rebels each received livelihood project and immediate assistance amounting to Php65,000.00 from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) as well as an additional Php3,700.00 pesos allowance for their training and welding
tool kits.

The awarding ceremony was led by Davao Oriental Governor Nelson Dayanghirang; 701st Brigade Commander, BGen Manuel Sequitin; TESDA Regional Director, Engr. Lorenzo Macapili, Police Colonel Marcial Mariano Magistrado IV of Davao Oriental Police Provincial Office (DOPPO); and Technical Adviser of Provincial Social Welfare Development Office (PSWDO), Ms. Sarah Gudes.

The event was witnessed by TESDA Provincial Director Leah Braga of TESDA Davao Oriental; Lucenita Niez, Local Government Operations Officer of DILG Davao Oriental; Center Manager of Happy Home, Emmalyn Oliveros; Davao Oriental Provincial
Consultant, Ms. Evelyn Vallar; and Lieutenant Colonel Louie Dema-ala, commanding officer of 67th Infantry Battalion, members of the Task Force Balik-Loob (TFBL) Secretariat and regional partner agencies of the Task Force Balik-Loob.

During his testimony, Ka Macky, a former rebel, thanked the province for treating him well even though he was a member of New People’s Army (NPA). He also expressed his gratitude to the government for providing livelihood programs, which helped improve his life.

In his speech, Governor Dayanghirang highlighted the importance of transparency and good governance. He also reminded the former rebels that they should serve as an inspiration for those who are still part of the local communist armed movement.

The officials in attendance emphasized the importance of the convergence of the LGU, lead and partner agencies of Task Force Balik-Loob in realizing a peaceful and progressive province. They also reminded the former rebels to use the benefits they
received wisely to improve their lives.

After the awarding of E-CLIP benefits, the attendees were given a tour of the newly-built extension facilities of the Davao Oriental’s halfway house. The halfway house is a temporary shelter facility for former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines –
New People’s Army – National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) and Militia ng Bayan; its programs range from de-radicalization, social healing and reconciliation, spiritual and moral enhancement, health and wellness, sports and other physical activities.

E-CLIP seeks to effect social healing and national unity through a whole-of-nation approach, as mandated by Executing Order 70, towards the higher objective of having just and lasting peace. It provides social equity to former members of CPP-NPA-NDF and the Militia ng Bayan by devising a different modality of providing benefits and services to the FRs, in order to reintegrate them into mainstream society. TFBL was created to oversee the implementation of E-CLIP, pursuant to Administrative Order 10, which aims to centralize all government efforts through the creation of an inter-agency task force, which includes the DILG, the Department of National Defense, Office of the President, National Housing Authority, and the Office of the Presidential Adviser for Peace Process among its lead agencies, with other government offices and instrumentalities as partner agencies that are tapped to provide additional benefits and services to FRs.###