By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – The provincial government of Negros Occidental provided P270,000 in financial assistance to 18 former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) who surrendered to the Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (IB).
Each former rebel received a check from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)- Negros Occidental amounting to P15,000.
The immediate assistance that will serve as support for their mobilization expenses while their enrollment in the Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) is being processed.
The turnover of cash aid held at the Social Hall of the Provincial Capitol here last Thursday was led by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, in the presence of Colonel Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde); Police Colonel Romy Palgue, director of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo); Lieutenant Colonel Gerard Alvaran, 79th IB commander; and Atty. Ferdinand Panes, DILG provincial director.
Panes also turned over P336,000 worth of reintegration assistance to the 79th IB to defray the subsistence or meals cost of the former rebels while in custody, and other incidental expenses like securing a birth certificate, identification card, and mobility expenses.
Pasaporte said that this is solid evidence that the local government is sincere in its commitment to allow rebels to start anew, be able to live normal lives again and unite with their families.
Last year, the provincial government also awarded P1,171,000 worth of assistance to 18 rebel returnees.
“The Army strongly supports this initiative and we welcome those who want to lay down their arms,” Pasaporte said.
