DEFENSE Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said there is enough money for rebel returnees but emphasized these may not be enough to totally rehabilitate lives given the rising costs of living.

Teodoro made the statement after a recent dialogue with members of the Patriotic Action for Democracy and Reform (Pader) which has over 7,000 members all over the country.

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Several rebel returnees have complained about the overdue release of the budget for the government’s Social Integration Program (SIP) for former members of the New People's Army (NPA) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Ka Joey Magno, Pader Secretary-General said many of would be rebel returnees are now reluctant to come out because of the government's lack of support.

Magno said many rebel returnees have been wondering about the seriousness of government.

The group said it is dismayed by the Senate's apparent indifference to their plight despite the House of Representatives' approval of a bill that seeks to increase the budget allocated to former rebels.

Teodoro promised the group that he will find ways to make the Senate take notice of the bill granting more funds to allow former rebels the opportunity to reintegrate back into society.

"Given the opportunity, I will work for additional benefits like housing and recreational facilities, aside from livelihood projects for returnees," Teodoro said. (ALR)

Published in the Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro newspaper on July 4, 2009.