Learning From Davao Oriental’s Reintegration Experience

MATI CITY, Davao Oriental — Local government officials from SOCCSKSARGEN gathered in Mati City on October 2 to learn from Davao Oriental’s experience in implementing the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) for former rebels. 

The benchmarking activity at Honeys Hotel covered the province’s E-CLIP processes, including the operation of the Happy Home, a halfway house that provides various services and support to former rebels as they prepare to return to their families and communities, as well as firearms remuneration, benefits for qualified beneficiaries, the Joint AFP-PNP Intelligence Committee (JAPIC) process and deradicalization efforts.

JAPIC is the committee responsible for verifying the identities of individuals who surrender as former rebels. Its certification is also required for qualified beneficiaries to access E-CLIP assistance.

Resource persons from DILG Davao Oriental, the Happy Home and the Philippine Army’s 1001st Infantry Brigade shared their experiences and lessons in providing assistance to former rebels returning to their families and communities. The army brigade also presented its experience in the JAPIC and deradicalization processes. 

The activity also included the ceremonial turnover of firearms-remuneration checks to two former rebels, giving the visiting delegates a concrete example of one form of assistance provided under the program. 

The exchange provided participating LGUs with practical approaches they may adapt as they strengthen their own E-CLIP and reintegration programs. It also highlighted the role of coordination among government agencies, local governments, security forces and other stakeholders in delivering assistance to beneficiaries. 

For Davao Oriental, the benchmarking activity became an opportunity to share lessons from its own experience with other local governments working to support former rebels as they transition back to their families and communities.