DAVAO CITY—The City Social Services and Development Office recently turned over livelihood assistance amounting to P65,000 for each of the 35 former rebels who have returned to the fold.
The assistance came from the budget of the Office of the Presidential Adviser for the Peace Process and was downloaded to the city’s Department of the Interior and Local Government office, CSSDO head Ma. Luisa Bermudo said.
Bermudo’s office is tasked to make sure the rebels will have a better life after they return to the fold through the Comprehensive Local Integration Program.
“The Mayor [Sara Duterte] tasked us to monitor them, they will be checked regularly and they will also be the priority of our housing project in Los Amigos, Tugbok or in Lasang,” Bermudo said.
Duterte encouraged more rebels to reintegrate with lawful society and be role models to their colleagues who are still in the mountains and “give peace a chance.”
“We in the local government believe that people can still change, that is the reason behind the establishment of the CLIP under the CSSDO to help everyone who wants to change,” Duterte said.
The rebel returnees will also be automatically enrolled to PhilHealth for their health care assistance.