QUEZON CITY, (PIA)--The Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) and Amnesty Program (EAP) cluster, headed by the new chairperson of Task Force Balik-Loob (TFBL), Department of National Defense Undersecretary Angelito M. De Leon, convened for its first quarter meeting on 24 April 2023, in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
Attended by TFBL agency-members providing assistance to former rebels (FRs) and former violent extremists (FVEs), the first meeting of the Cluster coincided with the anniversary of Task Force Balik-Loob that oversees the implementation of the E-CLIP for the past five (5) years.
Among the accomplishments presented during the meeting was the number of FRs and FVEs who resurfaced since from 2016, when E-CLIP started during the previous government administration.
According to TFBL, out of the total 37,413 FRs and FVEs, 10,637 have been presented with immediate, livelihood, reintegration benefits, as well as firearms remuneration.
Additionally, TFBL reported that according to the DILG, the surrendered firearms for the same period reached to 6,148. The equivalent amount of surrendered firearms was summarized at PHP151,079,811.49.
To date, the immediate assistance granted to the FRs has amounted to PHP147,330,000.00.
Meanwhile, livelihood assistance provided by TFBL partner agencies reached PHP322,850,000.00, and the reintegration program bestowed to FRs and FVEs reached PHP164,563,200.
TFBL partner agencies likewise participated in a discussion to discuss various issues and ensure continued and more effective implementation of programs to assist E-CLIP beneficiaries.
Representatives from the agencies shared their inputs on matters related to budget, program allocations, and other concerns pertaining to the projects of the different agencies including housing, employment and skills training.
USec. De Leon gave his assurance that the matters which require resolutions “would be threshed out through operational procedures and policy interventions.”
He added that “alternative solutions must be employed to resolve issues and concerns to sustain the assistance for the FRs that are packaged under the E-CLIP through a working-group level.”
He also expressed appreciation to all those who organized and attended the meeting for their continued cooperation with the task force and encouraged their consistent presentation of benefits to the FR.
Further, he acknowledged the accomplishment of the task force, especially during the incumbency of its former chairperson, Undersecretary Reynaldo Mapagu, for steering it during the critical stages of the government’s reintegration program that “resulted in the snowballing of surrender of FRs and FVEs.”
Usec. De Leon is keen on ensuring that the task force remains to be a reliable cluster that sustains the assistance for all returnees under the E-CLIP. (dnd/pia-ncr)
