Two (2) Former Rebels (FRs) in the province of Zambales were given financial assistance amounting to Php80,0000.00 under the government's Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) to start anew in the mainstream society and help them improve their living conditions.

 Former Militia ng Bayan member received Php15,000.00 as immediate assistance while a former New People's Army (NPA), received Php65,000.00 –as immediate and livelihood assistance in an awarding ceremony held at the Balin Sambali, Iba, Zambales, June 16, 2021.

The awarding of checks was administered by Governor Hermogenes E. Ebdane, Jr., together with DILG Zambales Provincial Director Armi V. Bactad, 1LT Norman Oliver H. Adlaon of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), PMAJ Bryant B. Odien of the Zambales Provincial Police Office (ZPPO), and Ms. Carmela D. Pacis of Provincial Social Welfare & Development Office (PSWDO).

In his message, Governor Ebdane gave his appreciation to the two former rebels who had surrendered and returned to the government. He asked for the cooperation of the former rebels to reintegrate back to the community, be with their families, and start over with their new normal lives. He also thanked the national government agencies in helping to end the local communist armed conflict in the province by supporting the government's peace and development efforts.

"Napapanahon na talaga para magising tayo. Yung ginagawa ng ating pambansang pamahalaan sa pangunguna ng ating Pangulong Digong Duterte ay isang malaking bagay, kasi ito yung tinatawag natin na pinagsama-samang pamamaraan para mapigilan na itong problema natin." Governor Ebdane said.

Moreover, PD Bactad lauded the former rebels for deciding to return to the fold of the law and assured the continuous assistance from the national government especially with the strengthened implementation of President Rodrigo Duterte's Executive Order No. 70. or the whole-of-nation approach that aims to address the root causes of insurgency to end local armed conflict in the countryside.

To this date, DILG Zambales has so far distributed a total of Php1,390,000.00 worth of immediate and livelihood assistance to 27 former rebels (including 1 rebel with firearm remuneration) who returned to the fold of the government.

Aside from the financial assistance, the FRs also received gift packs from Governor Ebdane.

Also present were PCMS Rico E. Mantes, TSg Romulo V. Somera, TSg Elmor S. Gargoles, ADAS II King Andrew Phil A. Apsay and ADAS II Denver S. Yumul from Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Army (PA), Philippine Air Force (PAF) and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), respectively.

E-CLIP program which is a complete package of assistance to former rebels is one of the flagship programs of the current administration that seeks to address social healing and national unity toward the higher objective of having just and lasting peace.