CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro (PIA) -- The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) through Social Welfare Officer IV Maritess B. De Guzman reported the latest updates of the Provincial Government’s 2022 accomplishments on the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) during the 4th Quarter Provincial Convergence Meeting called by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in this city on December 9.

The E-CLIP is a flagship program of former President Rodrigo R. Duterte that aims to help members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) and Militia ng Bayan (MB) to restore allegiance to the Philippine government.

De Guzman said there are at least 57 individuals who are still waiting for the E-CLIP release wherein 17 of them are for encoding, 31 are not yet encoded and waiting for the new Joint AFP-PNP Intelligence Committee (JAPIC) format, and nine are for interviews.

JAPIC refers to the committee for verifying the identities of the rebels upon their surrender.

According to De Guzman, the provincial government has already built a halfway house but it is not yet operational due to lack of electricity and application for which is scheduled today, December 13.

A halfway house is a shelter where FRs are temporarily housed while processing their papers.  It is located within the premises of the Philippine Army in Bansud, Oriental Mindoro.

Part of the duties and responsibilities of PSWDO is the ongoing monitoring of FRs who avail the amnesty program of the government.  PSWDO recommended to provide FRs with documents to show that they already surrendered.  However, PNP Provincial Director Colonel Samuel Delorino clarified that they only issued certification to FRs that they are surrenderers.

Moreover, the provincial government has continuous implementation of the identified peace and development interventions per Annual Investment Program of 2023 as well as its participation in all Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP)-related activities like ‘Serbisyo Caravan.’

For 2023, the local government has allotted P8.3 million for the implementation of identified interventions in the Provincial Task Force-to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) priority areas in the province.  (LTC/PIA MIMAROPA)