Social Integration Program
The Social Integration Program (SIP) shall apply to former rebels who express the desire to integrate into mainstream society and return to the fold of the law.
Objectives:
- To create an environment conducive to the promotion of peace in the pursuit of community development.
- To provide access to economic and social opportunities for former rebels.
- To collect, register and destroy small arms, weapons, ammunitions and explosives.
- Long-term: To sustain genuine social and economic integration of former rebels and contribute to healing divisions in the community.
Principles and Guidance:
- The Program will utilize a community-based approach that involves the participation of all stakeholders.
- The safety and protection of the rights of former rebels shall be guaranteed.
- The principle of cooperation and consultation among all parties in conflict shall be applied.
Intended Outcome of the Program:
- Former rebels are able to live peaceful and productive lives with their family and within their chosen community;
- Communities with improved social and economic conditions through harmonized delivery of interventions; and
- Communities with improved peace and security condition and a marked reduction in incidents of armed violence.
Components of the Program:
Community Awareness and Acceptance
Aims to ensure awareness and acceptance of the Program and generate support from the community. It includes an Information, Education and Communication (IEC) plan for former rebels, local government units, police and military, other government line agencies and non-government organizations.
Force and Arms Management
This involves the registration, collection, valuation and destruction of firearms, ammunitions and explosives. It will also ensure the security of former rebels in all phrases of Program implementation.
Socio-Economic Intervention
Under this component, former rebels shall be provided access to economic and social opportunities. It includes capability building and skills training, livelihood and employment opportunities, and educational assistance. Social projects for women and children shall also be implemented.
Program Benefits:
- The Program provides Increased Remuneration for Surrendered Firearms, Explosives and Ammunitions.
- On SIP-funded Socio-Economic Interventions (SEI):Each former rebel shall be granted an Immediate Assistance Allowance while undergoing the process requirements for the grant of Socio-Economic Intervention. A Capital Assistance in goods or financial resource shall be given to a former rebel after completing his training on Livelihood Skills Development facilitated by the Program.
- SEI Support from NGAs/LGUs/NGOs/Private Sector
The SIP shall also access the support from programs/projects and basic services of National Government Agencies (NGAs), Local Government Units (LGUs), and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) such as:
- Legal Assistance
- Job Placement
- Educational Assistance
- Health Services (Philhealth)
- Balik-Probinsya
- Program for women and children
- Assistance in accessing Land Tenure Programs
Added Features:
Healing and Reconciliation shall provide comprehensive psycho-social services for former rebels, their families and communities to enable them to reconnect with each other and build their lives together.
Community activities shall also be conducted to serve as avenue for mutual acceptance.
Amnesty under PP1377 promulgated by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on September 6, 2007, upon concurrence by Congress, shall provide extinction of criminal liabilities for acts committed in pursuit of political beliefs and restoration of civil and political rights to qualified former rebels.
Implementing Agency:
The National Committee on Social Integration (NCSI) under the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process takes the lead in the implementation of the Program.
Approaches:
1. LGU Partnership
Guided by the principles of cooperation and consultation as well as community-based leadership, the Program recognizes the mandate of Local Government Units (LGUs) to provide basic services and facilities to Program participants as well as develop local strategies for advancing its effective implementation in their respective communities.
2. Partnership with other Agencies/NGOs
Believing in optimizing resources and in enhancing convergence of efforts, the Program collaborates with other government line agencies, civil society organizations and international funding agencies.
3. Community Involvement
Genuine, long lasting, in-depth and successful transition of former rebels' lives into productive members of the community involves the active participation of the members of the community themselves, by providing community needs assessment of the programs and projects and engaging them in the implementation thereof.