The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and other agencies should expedite the processing of benefits due to members of armed groups who have surrendered to the government.
Sen. Robinhood "Robin" C. Padilla stressed this on Wednesday, October 4 during the Senate Committee on Finance’s budget of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for 2024.
Padilla pointed out that since the state was able to convince many members of armed groups, including the Abu Sayyaf, to surrender - and they have already helped the government.
"They have surrendered a long time ago, but the processing of their benefits was passed from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to the DILG. It is important to address this," Padilla said during the hearing in Filipino.
"To win battles, we have to win hearts and minds. That includes those of the returnees,” he added.
“We have convinced many to surrender. We have asked the AFP about the ASG surrenderees and they suggested that we ask the DILG,” the senator pointed out.
In response, DILG Sec. Benhur Abalos assured Padilla that they will address the issue. “I assure you we will work on this,” Abalos said.
According to the DILG, the provincial teams of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) are looking into whether the returnees are bona fide, before extending any financial assistance to them.