Kalinga former rebel provided over P2.3M aid for reintegration

Tabuk City, Kalinga -  A former rebel in Kalinga who surrendered willingly to the Philippine Army received on Monday, October 7, over P2.3 million in financial and livelihood assistance from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The province’s Information Office said the assistance came from funding under DILG’S Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program, which seeks the reintegration of ex-rebels into the mainstream society.

The ECLIP initiative is part of the national government’s overall program to facilitate peace and development in conflict-affected communities.

During the turnover of the aid at the Provincial Capitol in Bulanao, Tabuk City on said date, Governor James Edduba highlighted the importance of the said program as it provides opportunities for former insurgents to contribute positively to their respective communities.

“Daytoy ti goal tayo nga PTF-ELCAC, nga maallukoy tayo dagitoy kakailyan nga agsubli ditoy komunidad. Agsubli iti pammati da ti gobyerno ken umay da nga tumulong ti panagdur-as ti ili,” he added.

The Governor likewise thanked the DILG and other national offices for their continuous support and partnership in the implementation of the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC), a campaign against the ongoing communist rebellion in the Philippines.

Other key initiatives during the event were DILG-CAR Assistant Regional Director Ruperto Maribbay Jr., DILG Kalinga Provincial Director Anthony Ballug, 503rd Brigade Commander BGEN Romulado Raymund Landingin, Kalinga Provincial Police Office Director PCOL Gilbert Fati-ig, and PSWDO Rosemarites Oyawon.

Said officials rendered their messages of support for all the programs of the national government toward peace and development in the country.