BORONGAN CITY (PIA) -- Some 38 former rebels (FRs) recently received financial assistance worth P1.1 million under the national government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration (E-CLIP) program at the provincial capitol Gymnasium, this city.
The distribution was led by Governor Ben P. Evardone; Vice-Governor Ma. Caridad Sison Goteesan; DILG-8 Regional Director Atty. Arnaldo E. Escober Jr.; and MGen. Edgardo De Leon, commander of 8th Infantry Division and chairmanperson of the Regional Task Force – End Local Communist Armed Conflict - Technical Working Group.
Present also were Rene V. Valera, asstistant director, OPDS-DILG Central Office; DILG Provincial Director Engr. Visitacion V. Giva; and Imelda A. Bonifacio, regional manager of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU).
From the 38 FRs, 11 are regular NPA members who received P65,000 each wherein P50,000 is for their livelihood assistance and P15,000 for their immediate assistance while the 27 Militia ng Bayan received also their P15,000 immediate assistance.
In his message during the distribution of financial assistance, Gov. Ben P. Evardone said the long-term peace of the province, nation, and even in the whole world is everyone’s desire.
“I hope that more rebels will surface and return to the folds of the law and start a peaceful life together with their families,” Evardone said. (MMP/SDC/PIA Eastern Samar)
