Nine former rebels received financial assistance from the national and provincial governments on Friday.
The cash aid came from the Enhanced Community Livelihood Integration Program (E-CLIP) of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Local Social Integration Program (LSIP) program of the provincial government intended for the former rebels.
Seven of them have received P65,000 from the E-CLIP, while two received P25,000 each.
Vice Governor Dennis Socrates represented the Capitol in the ceremony.
“Ang komunismo ang greatest evil that the world has experienced, ito ang nagpapahirap sa isang bansa, kaya maraming salamat sa inyong pagbabalik loob mula sa dating kilusan pabalik hanggang sa pagsanib ngayon sa ating lipunan,” he said.
Aside from financial assistance, the government also provided them educational opportunities through the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) for their living.
Newly-assumed commander of Western Command (WESCOM) Lt. Gen. Erickson Gloria urged the remaining rebels in the province to return to the fold of the law.
“Ang mga naunang nagbalik-loob ay namumuhay na ngayon nang matiwasay kasama ang kanilang pamilya, nawa’y maging daan patungo sa bagong pag-asa at maliwanag na kinabukasan ang mga programa ng pamahalaan katulad ng E-CLIP at LSIP,” Gloria said.
According to the Provincial Information Office (PIO), around 152 rebels have surrendered to the government since 2011.
