Ex-rebels receive financial, livelihood aid in Negros Or.

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD CITY – The provincial government of Negros Oriental awarded P980,000 in financial and livelihood assistance to 13 former New People’s Army (NPA) members and one ex-militiaman in Sibulan town last Wednesday.

The beneficiaries, alleged to be from the dismantled Central Negros 1 (CN1-D) unit of the KR-NCBS, had surrendered to the military and police forces in Guihulngan City, Canlaon City, and the Guihulngan City Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC).

Each ex-rebel received P15,000 for immediate needs and P50,000 for livelihood projects, totaling P910,000. The former militiaman was given P5,000. These funds were disbursed through the DILG-Negros Oriental under the Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

The Provincial Veterinary Office further contributed P5,000 to each of the 14 returnees. Additionally, the Provincial Agriculture Office supplied them with livestock, seeds, and informational materials. Governor Manuel Sagarbarria’s office also donated 50 kilos of rice and food packages.

Governor Sagarbarria, during the ceremony at the Maringal Hall of Norppo in Barangay Agan-an, expressed hope that the assistance would enable the returnees and their families to start anew, symbolizing the government’s commitment to reintegrating former insurgents.