73 ex-rebels get P1.6-M livelihood aid

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-6) distributed P1.640 million worth of livelihood aid to 73 former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) from various cities and municipalities in Negros Occidental on Dec. 23.

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson led the distribution of financial assistance at the

Provincial Capitol here, along with Brigadier General Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde), Police Colonel Romy Palgue, Negros Occidental police director, and DSWD personnel.

According to Jenie Macalipsay, focal person of Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), each former rebel received P20,000 under the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the DSWD, including relief packs containing 10 kilos of rice and assorted canned goods from the provincial government.

Pasaporte extended his gratitude to various government agencies especially the DSWD, for being one of the leading agencies in providing sustainable livelihood settlement grants for the surrenderers to help them live a normal life.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel J-jay Javines, commander of 79th Infantry Battalion (IB), said the SLP is part of the other benefits included in the E-CLIP, which aims to provide capital for the chosen small business of the former rebels, which will later generate income to sustain their basic needs.

“We will work hand in hand with other government agencies to help facilitate the benefits intended for them,” Javines said.