“We help you grow.”

True to its slogan, the Landbank of the Philippines awarded financial assistance to five former rebels (FRs) granted with loan, to support and enhance their financial capability together with their families during the launching of Landbank Lending Program as part of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) in Catarman, Northern Samar on 29 November 2019.

“Sa ating mga kapatid na nakatanggap ng tulong mula sa Landbank, sana ay magamit niyo ito upang mapalago pa ang inyong negosyo. Tandaan niyo, mismong si Presidente ang nagsabi, na ‘wag niyong gamitin sa pag-inom ng alak o sugal ang mga benepisyong matatanggap niyo sa ilalim ng E-CLIP,” Chairperson Task Force Balik Loob Defense Undersecretary Reynaldo B. Mapagu said.

“Maswerte kayo sapagkat kayo ang kauna-unahang mga dating rebelde sa buong bansa na makakatanggap ng tulong pinansyal mula sa Landbank. Nawa’y maging matagumpay ang inyong hanapbuhay na paggagamitan nito,” he added.

Representing Landbank Visayas Lending Group, Mr. Eulalio Lagapa emphasized that the financial assistance provided to the FRs are to be used in funding their livelihood projects, which will help them and their beneficiaries reintegrate into mainstream society.

One of the beneficiaries expressed his sincerest gratitude to the government for the assistance provided as they reintegrate into mainstream society.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Government of Northern Samar (PGNS) signed the appointments of nine FRs who were hired as farm workers and will receive a daily compensation. The PGNS also distributed food packs to FRs and their beneficiaries.

Task Force Balik-Loob (TFBL) and LandBank signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to facilitate the lending program as part of the E-CLIP.

Under the Lending Program, LBP may provide loans up to Php100, 000 to fund small and micro-enterprises (SMEs), and livelihood projects. LBP will also conduct loan counselling and financial literacy seminars to FRs prior to release of their loans.

FRs over the age of 21 who have no pending cases are qualified to avail of the loan program. Those disqualified due to age or have pending cases can designate a family member who will be listed as the borrower in their stead. FRs can submit their loan applications to LBP lending units across the country, together with their proof of identification and certification from the Joint AFP-PNP Intelligence Committee (JAPIC).

“We would all benefit from the dividends of peace and development. For that same reason, we should all work together and converge our efforts towards ending the local communist armed conflict. Let us stand with our president towards attaining a peaceful and prosperous Philippines free from the scourge of the communist terrorist group,” Undersecretary Mapagu said.

The E-CLIP is the flagship program of the Duterte administration that seeks to effect social healing and national unity through a whole-of-nation approach towards the higher objective of having just and lasting peace. It provides social equity to former members of the 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. These benefits do not serve as an end, but rather a means to aid the FRs in securing a foothold in restarting their lives.

Unlike previous government rebel reintegration programs, the E-CLIP provides a wider array of benefits based on the particular needs of FRs and their families such as financial assistance, housing, education, skills training, healthcare, legal assistance, and among others through a convergence of various national and local government agencies.

The TFBL was organized to oversee the implementation of E-CLIP pursuant to Administrative Order No. 10 of President Duterte. It includes DILG, Department of National Defense, Office of the President, National Housing Authority, and the Office of the Presidential Adviser for Peace among its lead agencies, and other government agencies and instrumentalities as partner agencies that may be tapped to provide additional benefits and services to FR’s. ###