BAGUIO CITY — A discussion of societal change highlighting the possible life of a former rebel after surrendering to the government was conducted at Nene Pimentel Hall located at the Department of the Interior and Local Government-CAR.
In collaboration with the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC), DILG-CAR Regional Director Araceli San Jose stated the following in the updates for the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program. “In terms of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) na under ng DILG, we also provide financial assistance to our former rebels and their families. Ang DILG Administered Package of Assistance ay para sa mga sumu-surrender or lumalapit sa ating gobyerno. May Reintegration Assistance na tinatawag in the amount of Php 21,000, Immediate Assistance in the amount of Php 15,000 per FR, Livelihood Assistance na Php 50,000 and, of course, Firearms Remuneration na ang valuation ay kung ano yung value ng firearm na sinurrender, times two ang ibibigay ni DILG.”
As of 2016, a total of six former rebels were given the DILG Administered Package of Assistance amounting to Php 856,200, while 16 former rebels came forward and received a total package amounting to Php 2,272,200 in 2017.
In contrast to its previous years, 2018 received the highest FR return to our vaults with the government, amounting to 111 former rebels and a total assistance of Php 6,132,000.
The rates dropped in 2019 when 46 former rebels, with the assistance of Php 2,597,000 were noted.
In 2020, 28 former rebels surrendered and received Php 3,358,000, and there was a slight increase in surrendering rebels, with a total of 34 in 2021 who received Php 1,492,000 pesos.
44 former rebels were given Php 2,705,000 in 2022, and 52 former rebels gained Php 3,427,169 in 2023 to start anew. Thereby, 342 firearms were collected, and a total assistance of Php 25,647,838 was awarded from 2016 to 2024.
As of 2024, 79 Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) Members and NPA in the Barrio Surrendered, with 45 CFO withdrawing their support to the CTGs. There were 57 assorted firearms and 26 assorted explosives surrendered.
From January 1 to March 13, 2025, there were ten CTG members and NPA in the Barrio who surrendered with two CFO supports for the CTG withdrawn, and four assorted firearms surrendered.
Aside from the monetary assistance given to the former rebels, referrals for livelihood trainings and jobs are also aimed to give the former rebels continuous support.
“During the last RDFL-CAR meeting, napag-usapan doon na ife-federate natin lahat ng former rebel, para iyong iba’t ibang government offices ay mapapadali iyong pagpo-provide ng assistance. ‘Pag pera, madaling maubos, so baka iyong ating mga kasamahan tulad ng TESDA, DA, or other agencies, baka makapagbigay sila ng training. Yung livelihood training na para sa kanila, magiging mas sustainable,” said DILG-CAR Regional Director Araceli San Jose.
ECLIP is a program that not only assists former rebels monetarily but also enhances their next chapter in life by giving them a second chance to work amongst others peacefully within society. By Dessa Joi Peralta
