CALOOCAN CITY, June 29 (PIA) -- The Department of National Defense (DND)-led Task Force Balik-Loob over the weekend presented updates on E-CLIP implementation during a visit to one of the Armed Forces of the Philippines' unified commands that combat terrorism and insurgency in the area.
Concurrent Task Force Balik-Loob Chair and Defense Undersecretary for Civil, Veterans and Reservist Affairs, Undersecretary Reynaldo Mapagu led the contingent when the team visited the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) where he presented an update on the implementation of the E-CLIP within the NOLCOM's area of responsibility as well as issues and concerns raised by E-CLIP implementers in the area.
The official was received by LtGen. Ramiro Manuel Rey AFP, Commander, NOLCOM, together with BGen. Arwel Oropesa AFP, Deputy Commander for Operations, BGen. Ramon Evan Ruiz AFP, Deputy Commander for Administration, and concerned Unified Command Staff headed by their Chief of Staff Col. Rodney Intal. Also present were representatives from the 5th Infantry Division and the 7th Infantry Division.
Mapagu urged NOLCOM to continue its support, not only for the E-CLIP but also for the other clusters of the National Task Force to End the Local Communist Armed Conflict, especially its Joint Regional Task Forces in the areas covered by NOLCOM.
The E-CLIP or Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program, which is a complete package of assistance to former rebels, is one of the flagship programs of the Duterte administration that seeks to address social healing and national unity toward the higher objective of having just and lasting peace. It aims to provide social equity to former members of the CPP-NPA-NDF and the Militia ng Bayan to reintegrate them into mainstream society.
Unlike the previous government’s reintegration programs, however, the E-CLIP provides a wide array of benefits based on the particular needs of the former rebels and their families such as financial assistance, shelter, education, skills training, healthcare and legal assistance through a convergence of various national and local government agencies.
These benefits are not the “end” but rather the means or tools to aid the former rebels while in the process of transitioning into the mainstream society.
The implementation of E-CLIP by provincial E-CLIP committees is being monitored and assessed by Task Force Balik Loob.
"We recognize the key role that reintegration programs play for the weakening and eventual dismantling of CTG guerilla fronts, even during my earlier days as a young battalion commander," Rey said.
Rey further expressed Team NOLCOM’s full support of the implementation of the E-CLIP.
To recall, the Task Force Balik-Loob was created by virtue of Administrative Order No 10 dated 03 April 2018 as a central coordinating body to supervise the government's reintegration efforts for members of the CPP-NPA-NDF including their immediate family members.
The Task Force is composed of representatives from the Department of National Defense, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Office of the President, and the National Housing Authority, as well as other partner government agencies. (PIA NCR)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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