SEVENTY former rebels who surrendered to the 8th Infantry (Dependable) Battalion were among the beneficiaries of a housing project from the National Housing Authority (NHA).
The housing project was offered as part of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-Clip) of the government.
The NHA, represented by Imelda C Teves, acting division manager, in partnership with 8IB and 403rd Infantry Brigade, conducted an orientation to the 70 former rebels regarding the housing projects they will avail themselves of in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.
She presented the two options the former rebels may choose: they may avail themselves of the house and lot in Barangay Casisang, Malaybalay City, or accept a total amount of P450,000, which is the worth of a unit for the renovation of their house, if they opt to stay in their place of origin before they were involved in revolutionary movement.
The qualified individuals will be entitled to safety and security guarantees including relocation.
Lieutenant Colonel Ronald M. Illana, commanding officer of 8th IB, said the E-Clip provincial committee in Bukidnon, in partnership with the Task Force Balik Loob and the Army are doing their best to reach out to the rebels in the province of Bukidnon.
"The government made a promise and this is the realization. We have proved that your government is really sincere to implement the program of our President. Through localized peace talks and dialogues, we are expecting more CNTS to return in folds of the law. To those CPP-NPA who are still doubtful of our genuine sincerity, I urged you to come down, our door is widely open, it is not too late for you to avail this program and live happily with your love once,” Illana said.
In Davao region, NHA has first allocated a total of 375 housing units in Barangay Cuambogan, Tagum City, Davao del Norte worth P168 million and intended for former members of the New People’s Army who surrendered to the government under President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration.