SURIGAO DEL NORTE IS NOW NPA-FREE — DILG

SURIGAO del Norte province is now insurgency-free.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos flew far South to personally congratulate and praise Surigao del Norte administration, the military and the police for their combined relentless efforts in dismantling the remaining forces of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the province.

Abalos was one of the guest speakers during the Friday morning ceremonial declaration of the province as NPA-free, where 14 former rebels pledged their support to the government.

The ex-red fighters received a total of P904,269 financial and livelihood assistance from the DILG-administered Enhanced Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), which they can use to start a new life as normal and law-abiding citizens.

In his speech, the DILG chief explained that President Marcos Jr. is fully supporting the DILG’s E-CLIP as part of the government’s whole-f-the-nation approach for peace and development.

Abalos also made special mention the Support to Barangay Development Program (SBDP) as having played pivotal roles in the huge number of surrenderers in many areas across the country.

“Linggo-linggo sumusuko na ang halos lahat ng mga NPA. They’re weakened at nagigising na ang mga tao sa panloloko ng NPA,” he added.

According to the DILG chief, the government’s gains against insurgency have been made possible by concerted efforts of all sectors and agencies concerned like the police, military and all peace-loving ordinary citizens.

“It is because of the collective action of everyone that we now have the fruits. Ito’y pinagsamang panaginip at aksyon ng bawat isa sa ating lahat na naririto ngayon,” he stressed.

Earlier, the Provincial Peace and Order Council and Provincial Development Council issued Joint Resolution 11-2023 declaring and pronouncing Surigao del Norte as a Stable Internal Peace and Security Province (insurgency-free).

Apart from the financial assistance, the former rebels also received hygiene kits, mosquito nets and vitamins from the Department of Health-Caraga; P10,000 from the Department of Social Welfare and Development –Caraga and P5,000 cash from the office of Governor Robert Lyndon Barbers.

To date, Surigao del Norte had already received P10.059 billion E-CLIP funds for 98 FR over the last six years.

It also received P1.067 billion SBDP funds from DILG for three cities, three municipalities and 70 barangays for projects such as farm-to-market roads, water and sanitation, health stations, schools, rural electrification and others.

A Pledge of Commitment was also signed by Abalos, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., and officials from the LGU, PNP, AFP and OPAPRO as a commitment to continue and support peace and development efforts in the province.

“Ngayon susurender sila, paano sila bukas? Magtulungan tayo, dapat tuloy-tuloy ang development. Akapin natin sila at iparamdam natin na tayo ay magkakapatid,” the DILG chief said.