CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – The provincial government of Pampanga assured assistance to former rebels who may want to return to mainstream society and surrender to the government.

This was gleaned during the meeting of the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) Committee held at the Session Hall of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, on Monday.

According to Myrvi Favia, Provincial Director of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and vice chairman of the CLIP committee, the local government adopted the CLIP through Executive Order (E.O) No. 13-2015 or the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) of Pampanga signed by Gov. Lilia ‘Nanay’ Pineda thus constituting the CLIP Committee of the province.

CLIP is a program for rebels who want to surrender, including those who gave up their arms since 2011.

The CLIP shall cover regular members of the New People’s Army (NPA) who have expressed the desire to abandon armed violence and become productive members of the society. The program shall include their spouses, partners, children (whether legitimate or illegitimate), parents and siblings, if applicable, as well as those who have processed but did not receive the full assistance under the defunct Social Integration Program (SIP).

Former rebels will receive P15,000 immediate assistance and P50,000 livelihood assistance.

“Very active ang support ng provincial government sa CLIP program. Hindi lamang CLIP ang binibigyan natin ng ayuda dahil may ayuda pa rin ang provincial capitol sa pangunguna ni Gov. Pineda na gusto nating tulungan ‘yong mga kapatid nating nasa labas na makabalik sa gobyerno. We are also finalizing the list ng mga beneficiaries,” said Fabia.

The committee also identified a halfway house to ensure the safety of the former rebels once they’ve surrendered.

“Pwedeng naman silang sumuko, magbalik loob sa kahit sinong pinagkakatiwalaan nila tulad ng pari, barangay kapitan, sa PNP, kay governor at ituturn over sila sa amin, sa CLIP committee,” added Fabia.

The E.O states that enrollment to the CLIP shall not exempt the former rebels from criminal and civil liabilities from cases filed against them in the courts of law.

Provincial Social Welfare and Development (PSWD) Officer Elizabeth Baybayan said the provincial government will also extend food, clothing, livelihood and educational assistance to the families of former rebels who are not members of NPA.

Present during the meeting were Provincial Administrator Atty. Andres Pangilinan Jr, National Commission on Indigenous People Provincial Director Randie Bacani, representatives from DILG, Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines.

By Liezel Cayanan