21 former rebels from Kalinga continue to get support through monitoring of livelihood aid, access to gov't services

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — Twenty-one former rebels from Kalinga are being provided support through continued monitoring of their livelihood projects given previously, according to the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO)

The PSWDO is taking the lead in monitoring the assistance extended to them under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Rosemaritez Oyawon, during the third-quarter meeting of the E-CLIP Committee on October 13 at the New Gymnasium Conference Hall, Capitol Hills, Bulanao, committed to ensure the monitoring.

The 21 beneficiaries are natives of Kalinga who voluntarily surrendered in La Union and were endorsed to the Kalinga Provincial Government for monitoring because of the distance between the two provinces.

Oyawon said the PSWDO, through E-CLIP Kalinga, would coordinate with the local government units where the former rebels have reintegrated to check the progress of their livelihood projects and help them access other available government assistance.

“Kailyan mi isuda, willing kami nga tumulong idjay monitoring iti na-receive da nga national project, ken mang-asistar metlang kanyada nu anya pay dagijay mabalin da nga maawat,” Oyawon said, expressing the province’s willingness to help monitor the assistance and facilitate access to other available support.

The endorsement was made through La Union Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Ranilo P. Ipac, who requested Kalinga’s help in monitoring the beneficiaries’ livelihood initiatives.

Under E-CLIP, eligible former rebels may qualify for financial support, including livelihood assistance. Government guidelines have provided for ₱50,000 in livelihood assistance and ₱15,000 in immediate assistance, subject to eligibility and program requirements. The specific amounts received by the 21 beneficiaries, and whether additional assistance will be awarded, were not detailed during the meeting.

The committee meeting was presided over by Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Kalinga Provincial Director Engr. Mayer Max G. Adong, with representatives from concerned government agencies and partner offices.

The committee also discussed proposed amendments to the DILG-Department of National Defense joint memorandum circular on E-CLIP assistance, certification requirements for former rebels and former violent extremists, available government services, and the status of unpaid surrendered firearms.

The monitoring initiative aims to help sustain the beneficiaries’ livelihood activities and support their transition to civilian life in their respective communities.