Two years ago, Victor (not his real name), a former member of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG), decided to turn his life around and seek haven from the government.
With their support, he has been able to start a small fruit-selling business, which has been helping him and his family make ends meet.
He said the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) permitted them to sell fruits near government offices using a cart to help them transition to a better, more normal life.
Victor initially received P25,000 in livelihood assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in 2022 and received an additional P65,000 from the DILG on May 21 through its Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
The E-CLIP program is a government initiative designed to offer financial aid to former rebels, facilitating their smooth transition into mainstream society.
The program, spearheaded by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict through the DILG, provides beneficiaries with the resources needed to establish small businesses and address their daily necessities.
Reflecting on his past, he mentioned spending his childhood and most of his adulthood in the mountains.
As his family grew, he realized the difficulty of their situation and saw no future for himself and his family if he remained there.
“Awan ti pagturungan ti pamiliak [didiay bantay] ken saan ko makadua dagitoy annakko iso a dagitoy ti pinanunot ko, saan ko matulungan isuda [no agyannak didiay bantay],” Victor said.
(If I stayed in the mountains longer without being able to be with family often, I’m certain our family would never live a normal life.)
Contemplating his circumstances, Victor recognized that remaining in the mountains would hinder his ability to provide a secure and thriving life for his family and that his absence would obstruct his ability to support them in times of need.
He also regretted not being able to attend school, recognizing that he should have provided his children with a better life due to his wrong decisions.
He said, “Talaga nga adayo [no ikomparam] ti biag iti bantay ken ditoy patag. Awan ti panpanunutem a mangbirbirok kaniam wenno kalabanmo a panpanunutem. Nawaya tattan saan a kasla idi.”
(Our life here now is completely different from life in the mountains. We live here freely and peacefully because nobody is searching for us or trying to harm us.)
Victor is now more hopeful and thankful, as some of his children will graduate from college.
He also expressed his appreciation for the unwavering support of the Philippine Army, specifically recognizing the key roles played by the 69th Infantry Battalion and the 50th Infantry Battalion for their consistent efforts in ensuring the safety and well-being of his family.
“Pagyamanak unay dagitoy tulongyo kaniak. Salamat unay ti Dios ken kanyayo amin, sapayla koma ta agtultuloy dagitoy nasayaat nga ubrayo [kadakami],” he ended.
(I am beyond grateful for all the government’s assistance. I thank the Lord for all of your continuous support for us.)
According to the DILG, more than P9 million worth of E-CLIP assistance was provided to former rebels who surrendered in the province of Ilocos Sur from 2020 until 2024.
This included immediate assistance, livelihood assistance, reintegration, and financial assistance. (AMB/JMCQ, PIA Ilocos Sur)
