Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental | 14 February 2019 — The Misamis Oriental Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) Committee yesterday assisted another thirty-one (31) former rebels (FRs) in rejoining the society and returning to their families in a ceremony organized here by the provincial government.
Twenty-nine (29) male and (2) female FRs received livelihood assistance worth Php 50,000.00 each and immediate assistance worth Php 15,000.00 each for a total of Php 65,000.00 per FR.
Defense Undersecretary Reynaldo B. Mapagu, Chairperson of the Task Force Balik-Loob (TFBL), was represented by BGen. Franco Nemesio M. Gacal AFP, 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division Commander - Philippine Army, during the awarding of E-CLIP benefits, along with the Provincial Legal Officer of Misamis Oriental Atty. Neil Pacana who represented MisOr Governor Yevgeny Vincente B. Emano Emano.
In USec. Mapagu’s speech, delivered by BGen. Gacal, he reiterated the importance of convergence in achieving the success of President Rodrigo Duterte’s flagship peace program aiding former rebels. “It [E-CLIP] brings together all reintegration efforts of the government that may aid in transition of former rebels, from a life of armed conflict to being agents of peace and development,” USec. Mapagu said.
The TFBL Chairperson further said that the provision of these benefits are not rewards for former rebels are rather basic services that should have been provided to them in the first place. “These are services that is due to every Filipino. These benefits are existing programs of the government and may be availed of by every Filipino citizen,” he added.
Meanwhile, Col. Edgardo Y. De Leon, 403rd Battalion Commander and E-CLIP Committee Co-Chairman, congratulated those who comprise the MisOr E-CLIP Committee for achieving another milestone in advancing the peace, security and development agenda. Engr. Marisa C. Naybe, Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Provincial-Director of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Misamis Oriental acknowledged the participants, and the 31 FRs from different towns of Misamis Oriental, including Cagayan de Oro and Bukidnon. The Oath of Allegiance of the former rebels was led by Mr. Arnel M. Agabe, CESO IV, Regional Director of DILG Region X.
The E-CLIP provides social equity to former members of the CPP-NPA-NDF and the Militia ng Bayan that aims to effect social healing and national unity towards reconciliation and peace. 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. These benefits which are provided to FRs in different modality, do not serve as an end but rather a means to aid the FRs in securing a foothold in restarting their lives.
Task Force Balik-Loob was organized to oversee the implementation of E-CLIP pursuant to Administrative Order No. 10 signed by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on 03 April 2018. It includes the DILG, Department of National Defense, Office of the President, National Housing Authority, and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process among its lead agencies, and other government agencies and instrumentalities as partner agencies that may be tapped to provide additional benefits and services to FRs.
While the Task Force is centrally led and directed, the success of its E-CLIP depends on the passion, dedication and commitment to peace and good governance of the E-CLIP Committees in the provinces which are headed by Provincial Governors. ###
