NAGA CITY (PIA) — The government has granted housing units to 33 communist rebels in the Bicol region who surrendered to the authorities as part of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip).
The rebel returnees from Albay province were given a seminar on the housing project to become eligible for the housing units and other aid, including financial and livelihood assistance.
Spearheading this project is the National Housing Authority (NHA), one of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development’s key shelter agencies and the government’s primary housing production arm.
According to the NHA, the housing units cost around P450,000 each but are being given to former rebels as grants to help them integrate smoothly into mainstream society, free from the burden of being part of the terrorist Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army.
E-Clip consisted of government programs such as immediate assistance, reintegration assistance, firearm remuneration, education, livelihood and employment, medical, psychosocial, and legal assistance and housing, deemed vital to successfully reintegrate the returnees and their families into mainstream society.
The national government distributes sacks of rice to former rebels in the Bicol region in November to provide sufficient aid for food.
Photo from 9ID PA
In a related development, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), in collaboration with the Camarines Sur branch of the National Food Authority, brought hope to some 50 former rebels as they received 200 sacks of rice in Camarines Sur, Masbate, and Sorsogon.
The first batch of rice aid distributions was held on Thursday, November 16, at the Capitol Convention in Pili, Camarines Sur.
OPAPRU Coordinator for South Luzon, Cristopher Azucena, said that through the transformation program, the government provides support to former rebels as they renounce their allegiance to communist terrorist groups and return to the law.
The program also offers sustainable livelihood and skills training, access to health services, and educational aid for their children and dependents, Azucena said.
“These services provide a new slate of opportunities to start afresh and live a better life under the Republic of the Philippines,” he added. (PIA 5/Camarines Sur)
