DAVAO ORIENTAL – Thirty-three former rebels have successfully completed almost three months of processing under the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
During the closing and completion ceremony for this year’s first batch of E-CLIP beneficiaries on July 19, 2022, at the Happy Home, Sitio Magay, Barangay Don Martin Marundan, City of Mati, the former rebels expressed their gratitude to the provincial government and its partner agencies for leading them to the right direction.
Under the E-CLIP program, each FRs is set to receive P65,000 as livelihood assistance from the national government, which they will receive in the upcoming months, said Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Provincial Director Orle Cabaobao. Aside from that, more than P2 million is also set to be awarded to the FRs in exchange for surrendered firearms.
At the ceremony, the former rebels also received their certificates of completion from the Department of Education City of Mati Division for successfully completing the 150 hours of intervention of Alternative Learning System (ALS) under three levels: 5 for Basic Literacy Program, 19 for Elementary Level and 9 for Secondary Level.
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) also handed over the learners’ certificate of training for completing the 181 hours of competency requirements in Masonry National Certificate II under the Philippine TVET Competency Assessment and Certification System. Each certificate comes with a training allowance worth more than 2,000 pesos for every beneficiary.
Other certificates from the Provincial Veterinary Office, Rural Entrepreneurship Advocacy for Change (REACH) Program of the provincial government, Department of Information and Communication Technology, and faith-based partners like the Northern Davao Mission of Seventh Day Adventist were also distributed to the completers.
These competencies are part of the scores of programs offered by the Happy Home to the former rebels. Aside from financial assistance, educational services, and livelihood and skills trainings, the Happy Home also provides services to improve the former rebels’ psychological, spiritual, and moral well-being.
Major key players from peace and development stakeholders handed over the certificates of completion to the reformed rebels.
Mr. Remegias G. Timonio, Ed. D., CESO VI, OIC-Regional Director of TESDA XI and Provincial Director of TESDA Davao Oriental, encouraged the completers to “continue pursuing the new life you wanted towards reaching your dreams and apply the skills you’ve learned from us.”
A blind completer called Jul expressed his deepest thanks to the government. “Luyo sa akong kondisyon, tin-aw kayo nga nalantaw nako ang kama-ayo sa gobyerno,” (Despite my condition, I have clearly seen the goodness of our government) he said.
Jul was born blind in one eye but lost his eyesight while still in the armed movement due to the lack of medication and their poor situation in the hinterlands while hiding from the government forces.
Brigadier General Oliver C. Maquiling, Commander of the 701st Infantry Kagitingan Brigade, congratulated the reformed rebels and encouraged them to never forget what they had learned inside the Happy Home.
Also present was the OIC-Provincial Director of Davao Oriental Police Provincial Office Police Colonel Francis Donald Brillante, who urged the completers to embrace the new life that awaits them in the mainstream society and to never go back to the meaningless life in the armed rebellion.
An emotional completer named Nelson shared how his life changed inside the shelter by the hard and soft skills taught to them including the moral recovery lessons by faith-based groups that, according to him, “totally changed” the way he sees the world now with God as the center.
“Daghan kaayong salamat sa inyo. Sa inyong tabang nga pag bag-o sa amo, nakapa-graduate ko’g anak nga Cum Laude,” (Thank you so much. Because of your interventions in reforming us, my son graduated as Cum Laude) Nelson said.
Vice Governor Niño Sotero L. Uy expressed his delight to the completers for undoubtedly showing interest in being reformed and contributing to the province’s development, specifically on the peace and security agenda.
Moreover, Davao Oriental Provincial Administrator Maria Gracia “Ging-ging” Tiago who represented Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon expressed her happiness that these “reformed rebels have taken the first step by leaving the struggles in the hinterlands and allowing change to happen on their lives at the Happy Home.”
“We are thankful that with God’s words, you have surpassed all the challenges in life. With your faith, persistence, and hope, you will all be successful,” Administrator Tiago said.
Gov. Malanyaon guaranteed everyone that the Happy Home will be well-supported for further improvements to enrich services for peace and development, as conveyed by Administrator Tiago.
“There will be more steps ahead, but with faith and perseverance, there will be success for everyone,” she said.
Administrator Tiago congratulated all the completers and expressed her deepest gratitude to all peace and development stakeholders for being very active in all relevant matters to improve governance in the provincial government.
“Our governor wants to remind everyone to serve from and with our hearts. Her love for all her people in Davao Oriental will be forever,” Administrator Tiago concluded. By Van Jorain O. Rufin/Photos by Mark Alvite and Joel Owano
