360 rebel returnees get financial aid from gov't
BACOLOD CITY -- As a come on for them to return to the folds of the government, 360 or more rebel returnees identified with the CPP-NPA and RPA-ABB received their financial assistance from the government Friday as declared by Usec. Pedro Cesar Ramboanga, Jr., of the Office the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process.
He was with Gov. Isidro P. Zayco during the turn over of financial assistance held at the Provincial Capitol.
The rebel returnees received P20,000 each, Ramboanga said.
Usec. Ramboaga said this financial assistance is under the “Balik Loob” program of the government.
President Arroyo has increased the financial assistance to rebel returnees from P12,500 to P20,000.
This is the closure of the “Balik Loob” program, which will be replaced by a new program dubbed as Social Integration program.
Under this program, the socio-economic assistance was increased from P12,500 to P50,000.
The rebel returnees come from 25 towns in the province, he said.
Meanwhile, the peace agreement between the government and RPA-ABB is in its final stage, said Ramboanga.
Former Gov. Rafael Coscolluela and former Magdalo leader Milo Maestrecampo represented the government in the peace negotiation.
Carapali Luwalhati and Veronica Tabara represented the rebel group.
The financial assistance of P185 million was already released to the RPA ABB and the balance of P315 million will be released upon completion of the peace pact.