• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A total of 57 former rebels in Negros Occidental yesterday availed of financial assistance from the national and provincial governments, in a ceremony held at the Provincial Capitol Social Hall in Bacolod City.
Brig. Gen. Orlando Edralin, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, yesterday said that each of the 57 former rebels, who were either NPA regular members and Yunit Militia members, got P5,000 each and food packages.
On May 12, sixteen former rebels in Himamaylan City, received financial assistance of P10,000 each from the city government, under the leadership of Mayor Raymund Tongson, as facilitated by the Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade.
In previous months, 25 former rebels in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental also received P10,000 each in livelihood aid from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
In his speech, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson lauded the decision of former rebels to abandon the armed struggle, as he also assured them of support of the provincial government.
Lacson further said that the provincial government is committed to assist and support former rebels as they re-integrate into society while the E-CLIP (Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program) assistance from the national government is being processed.
“It is my utmost aspiration that more of our Negrense brothers and sisters in the armed struggle will come back and join us as partners in the achievement of our inclusive peace and development agenda,” he said.
The activity was also attended by Lt. Col. J Jay Javines, 79th Infantry Battalion commander, Lt. Col. Van Donald Almonte,94th Infantry Battalion commander, PCol. Leo Pamittan, provincial police director of Negros Occidenta, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office OIC Ma. Gerla Sario, and Risa Johanna Neri and Russel Parreño of DSWD regional office, among others.*
