PRRD Gives Cash, Housing Assistance to NPA Surrenderees

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Tuesday, October 2, led the distribution of financial assistance to 15 former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) under the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

During his meeting with the former rebels here at Camp Juan Ponce Sumuroy, President Duterte emphasized that the war between the communist movement and the government only led to numerous deaths from both sides. “Kaya ako nakikiusap sa inyo ngayon nandito na lang rin kayo para sabihin ko ganito: itong giyera natin, communal war, wala talagang manalo dito. Wala kayong makuha maski pinatay ninyo ako ngayon. Wala kayong makuha makapatay kayo ng limang sundalo.”

“Fifty-two years ago nag-umpisa. Hanggang ngayon, mamamatay na lang ako pati si Sison, nandiyan pa rin,” President Duterte said.

The Chief Executive provided each former member of the NPA financial assistance ranging from P15,000 to P85,000, a Modified Conditional Cash Transfer (MCCT) from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) amounting to P5,000, an additional P50,000 for livelihood, P450,000 housing assistance, and remuneration for every firearm surrendered.

President Duterte instructed the Department of Agrarian Reform to provide at least 2.5 hectares of mainly barren state-owned land to each of the former rebels.

He also asked the Department of the Interior and Local Government and Landbank to organize a communal cooperative.

The E-CLIP’s goal is to achieve a permanent and peaceful closure of all conflicts with non-state groups by facilitating the surrender of rebels, enhancing LGU capabilities, and compensating all turned-in firearms. (PND)