The Department of the Interior and Local Government has accepted the challenge of the Makabayan bloc for a Congressional inquiry on the government’s program for rebel surrenderers as this will be an opportunity to place on the record the thousands of rebel surrenderers who have been benefited and whose lives were changed by the program.
“Hindi uurungan ng gobyerno ang patutsada ng kaliwa na magkaroon ng imbestigasyon dahil wala namang korapsyon o anomalya sa programang ito. By all means, we urge Congress to do an inquiry so that the public will know the truth about the success of the E-CLIP program,” said Sec. Año.
Año said a Congress probe would allow the government to report to the public the significant accomplishments of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) which provides a complete package of assistance to former members of the New People’s Army and Militia ng Bayan (MB) and their family members who have laid down their arms to become productive members of the society.
“Kung inaakala ng Makabayan bloc na mapapahiya ang gobyerno sa isyung ito, nagkakamali sila. Nabigyan pa nga kami ng magandang oportunidad para maipakita kung gaano karami na na mga NPA at Militia ng Bayan ang nagbalik-loob sa pamahalaan at mang-engganyo sa iba pa na sumuko na dahil tutulungan sila ng gobyerno,” Año said.
He made the remarks in response to the call of Bayan Muna Reps. Carlos Isagani Zarate and Eufemia Cullamat for Congress to look into the alleged corruption of the government’s E-CLIP program.
Año said from July 2018 to November 2019, P171.6 million in financial assistance package was released to 2,882 rebel surrenderers under E-CLIP of the interagency Task Force Balik-Loob.
Of the 2,882 total number of former rebels, 2,635 among them were granted immediate assistance; 1,788 with livelihood assistance; and 655 firearms remuneration amounting to P 171.6M through E-CLIP from July 2018 to November 2019.
Under the E-CLIP grant, former rebels or their qualified beneficiaries are entitled to benefits ranging from guaranteed safety and security; monetary assistance such as a P50,000 as livelihood assistance, P21,000 for meals cost as former rebel is in the custody of Receiving Unit and other expenses, and P15,000 per FR for mobilization expenses; and firearms remuneration amounting to the value of turned-in firearms, among others. – DILG release
May 5, 2024
