TARLAC CITY — About P23 million worth of immediate and livelihood assistance has been given to former rebels in regions 1,2,3 and Cordillera under Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Northern Luzon Command Commander Lt. Gen. Ernesto Torres Jr. disclosed that a total of 1,156 surrendered since January 2018. They include regular members of New People’s Army and Milisyang Bayan.
“Relative to this, we completed 10 halfway houses in Bantay, Ilocos Sur; Laoag City, Ilocos Norte; Burgos, Pangasinan; Ilagan City, Isabela; Lallo, Cagayan; Cabaruguis, Quirino; Lagangilang, Abra; Kiangan, Ifugao; Bontoc, Mt Province; and Tabuk City, Kalinga. This indicates the government’s sincerity in addressing the people who have been deceived by the communist terrorist group (CTG),” Torres shared during a meeting with Defense Undersecretary and Task Force Balik-Loob Chairperson Reynaldo Mapagu.
Another halfway house in Luna, Apayao is undergoing construction and is already 85 percent complete.
“These halfway houses aim to provide temporary shelter to former rebels and their families while processing their enrollment to E-CLIP,” Torres explained.
They also serve as venues for livelihood training and psycho-socio debriefing of the former rebels prior to their reintegration into mainstream society.
Meanwhile, Torres reported a total of 195 projects under Tatag ng Imprastraktura para sa Kapayapaan at Seguridad (TIKAS) were programmed for NOLCOM from 2019 to 2022.
89 were already completed and are being operationalized, 66 are currently being constructed and 40 have not yet commenced.
TIKAS is a convergence program of Department of National Defense and Department of Public Works and Highways that aims to improve the landscape of military facilities in the country through the repair and rehabilitation of military bases, barracks, roads, and other facilities that support the AFP Modernization Program.
In his message, Mapagu expressed his appreciation for the warm reception he received from the NOLCOM troopers.
He also conveyed his respect for the command’s excellent performance and accomplishments.
Mapagu urged the troops to continue with their mission in raising awareness to encourage remaining members of the CTG to surrender and return to government fold. (CLJD-PIA 3)
