SIBULAN, Negros Oriental (PIA) -- Fourteen former rebels of the New People’s Army (NPA) have received financial aid from the government after they returned to the folds of the law.

Together with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Gov. Manuel “Chaco” Sagarbarria distributed checks and assistance packages amounting to P910,000 to help the former rebels rebuild their lives.

During the distribution held in Sibulan town, 13 former NPA rebels and one Militia ng Bayan (MB) member each received  P50,000 worth of livelihood assistance and  P15,000 as immediate assistance under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) funded by DILG.

The provincial government also offered P5,000 and 50 kilograms of rice, including  five native chickens, vegetable seedlings, and food packs from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The assistance aims to bolster the peace-building efforts of local government units under the campaign to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC).

“I hope that the cash assistance you received will benefit you and your family in living a new life. Also, you will serve as a living testament of the government’s sincerity to help those former NPA members who lay down their arms and return to the folds of the law,” Sagarbarria told the ex-rebels.

Ka Micmic, who used to be an NPA organizer and medical officer, said the government assistance allowed them to break free from the propaganda of the rebel movement.

“Nagapasalamat gyud ako ug dako sa mga opisyales sa gobyerno, sa AFP, sa PNP, ug sa uban pa nga naa sa gobyerno nga naga tabang sa amoa. Kung dili tungod sa gobyerno hangtud karun didto dyapun kami nagapabilin sa kabukiran. Naka usab kame sa amon nga kaugalingon nga dili na gid kame magpadala sa ila nga mga propaganda,” said Ka Micmic.

(I am very thankful to the government officials, AFP, and PNP for helping us. If not for their help, we would still be living in the remote areas in the mountain. We will never allow ourselves to be fooled by their propaganda again.)

ECLIP is the government’s program for rebel returnees to help reintegrate them into the community and provide them and their families with a complete package of assistance.

The financial package covers immediate assistance, provision of a reintegration process, a starting capital for livelihood, as well as remunerating surrendered firearms. (JCT/PIA7 Negros Oriental)