The NHA Resettlement Assistance for Former Rebels is a housing assistance program in the Philippines developed in line with the government’s peace and reintegration efforts. Rooted in Administrative Order No. 10 signed in 2018, this program supports the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), which aims to help former rebels return to mainstream society through financial assistance, housing opportunities, and community support. Through this initiative, the National Housing Authority (NHA) provides affordable housing solutions or cash assistance to eligible individuals who have chosen to return to the fold of the law under the balik loob program.
This housing assistance for former rebels serves as a key part of the government’s broader peace-building framework. By addressing shelter and livelihood needs, the program promotes lasting stability, community reintegration, and a more inclusive path toward national development. Understanding how to apply for the NHA Resettlement Assistance for Former Rebels is important for those seeking a fresh start, as well as for communities and stakeholders working to support reintegration efforts across the Philippines.
Key Features
The program offers various benefits to support former rebels in rebuilding their lives and reintegrating into society. They also provide multiple options, from direct housing allocation to financial aid for home construction or repair. Other prominent program features include:
- Housing Unit Allocation: Former rebels can avail of housing units in existing NHA AFP-PNP housing projects reallocated for their use.
- Cash Assistance for Housing Construction: Qualified beneficiaries may receive ₱450,000 to build a new home on their own land.
- Financial Support for Home Repairs: A ₱100,000 grant is available for repairing an existing home owned by the former rebel.
- Peace Agreement Compliance: Supports housing provisions outlined in agreements with groups like Kapatiran, formerly RPMP/RPA/ABB.
- Nationwide Housing Sites: Resettlement areas include locations in Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, Davao del Norte, and Cavite.
- Partnership with OPAPP: Works alongside the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP) for fund allocation and program implementation.
- Integrated Support: Complements E-CLIP, ensuring access to livelihood aid, financial support, and social services for a sustainable transition.
Housing Assistance Options for Former Rebels
They offer various forms of housing assistance. Eligible former rebels can choose from the following options:
- Housing Units in NHA Projects: Former rebels can avail themselves of housing units in existing NHA housing projects that have been re-allocated for their use. These units are part of the NHA’s Old AFP/PNP housing projects, which have been designated for this purpose. Notable locations include projects in Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon, and Davao del Norte.
- Cash Assistance for Housing Construction: A cash grant of P450,000 is available to help former rebels build their own homes on land they own or in situ sites. This grant provides the flexibility to build a housing unit that suits the individual’s specific needs.
- Cash Assistance for Housing Repairs: If a former rebel already owns a housing unit that requires repairs, they can avail themselves of P100,000 in cash assistance for renovations or repairs. This option supports former rebels who may have existing homes that need upgrading to provide safer and more comfortable living conditions.
Benefits
The program offers life-changing benefits that support a stable and dignified return to mainstream society. This provides both immediate and long-term assistance to help former rebels rebuild their lives and secure a better future for their families.
- Access to free or subsidized housing units in NHA housing projects.
- Option to receive ₱450,000 cash assistance for house construction in chosen or in situ sites.
- Option to receive ₱100,000 cash assistance for the repair of an existing housing unit.
- Opportunity to live in safe and peaceful communities, away from conflict-affected areas.
- Support for community reintegration, helping applicants re-establish normal lives.
- Access to livelihood assistance and other social services through partner agencies.
- Improved quality of life for families, especially children.
- Psychological and emotional relief through a renewed sense of belonging and security.
- Inclusion in national peace efforts, contributing to the goal of a safer and more unified Philippines.
Target Beneficiaries
This is specifically designed to support individuals who have chosen to abandon armed struggle and reintegrate into peaceful civilian life. The program targets specific groups to ensure that assistance reaches those who need it most and are qualified under government reintegration initiatives.
- Former rebels (FRs) who have surrendered under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP)
- Members of Rebolusyonaryong Partidong Manggagawa-Pilipinas/RevolutionaryProletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP/RPA/ABB), now known as Kapatiran
- Former rebels who have been profiled and validated by c Rebels, applicants must meet specific criteria set by the government to ensure that only eligible individuals receive the housing support. These qualifications aim to identify those who have genuinely committed to reintegration under the balik loob program.
They must at least satisfy the fillowing conditions:
- Must be a former rebel officially profiled under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
- Must have voluntarily surrendered and returned to the folds of the law.
- Must be endorsed by the Joint AFP-PNP Intelligence Committee (JAPIC) as an eligible former rebel.
- Must be certified by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) as a legitimate E-CLIP beneficiary.
- Must not have previously availed of any government housing program.
- Must be willing to reside in the designated NHA housing projects or construct housing in an in-situ site using the financial assistance provided.
- Must be included in the list of validated and approved applicants under the NHA Resettlement Assistance Program for Former Rebels.
Required Documents
All interested housing assistance applicants need to prepare the following:
- Certificate of Entitlement (COE) issued by the E-CLIP or the OPAPP.
- Proof of former membership in an insurgent group (if applicable).
- Proof of residency and identification (such as a valid ID or barangay certification).
- Land title or proof of ownership for applicants opting for housing construction or repairs.
How to Apply for the NHA Resettlement Assistance Program
Applying for this resettlement assistance means having former rebels go through the following:
Step 1. Check Eligibility
To be eligible for the housing assistance program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Must be a former rebel who has formally renounced armed struggle.
- Must be a registered beneficiary under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local I knowntegration Program (E-CLIP).
- Must be listed in the official records of the NHA or the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).
Former rebels who are unsure of their eligibility can contact the NHA or their local E-CLIP office for more information.
Step 2. Submit Required Documents
Applicants should ensure that they have all the necessary documents to avoid delays in the application process.
Step 3. Choose Your Housing Assistance Option
After verifying eligibility, applicants can choose one of the housing assistance options available: a housing unit, cash assistance for construction, or cash for repairs. This choice will depend on the applicant’s current situation and preferences.
Note: It’s important to note that housing units are subject to availability, and applicants may need to select from the available locations designated by the NHA.
Step 4. Submit the Application to NHA
Once the necessary documents are gathered and the housing option has been chosen, the application must be submitted to the NHA. Applications can be submitted through the NHA’s regional offices or through designated personnel from the OPAPP or local government units.
Step 5. Verification and Approval
After submission, the NHA will verify the applicant’s eligibility and review the application. This process may include background checks, site visits, and interviews to ensure the applicant meets all requirements.
Step 6. Awarding of Assistance
Once the application is approved, the NHA will provide the chosen housing assistance. In the case of housing units, the applicant will be notified of the location and details of the available property. For cash assistance, the funds will be disbursed to the applicant’s bank account or through a designated payment method.
As of February 2022, over 880 former rebels have benefited from this program, receiving housing assistance worth more than P400 million in total.
Livelihood Assistance and Other Support Services
In addition to housing assistance, former rebels may also qualify for livelihood support to help them establish stable incomes. Livelihood Settlement Grants (LSG) of P20,000 have been provided to former rebels to assist them in starting businesses or acquiring skills for sustainable livelihoods.
One such example is Jim, a former rebel who started a poultry business with the help of a livelihood grant. Jim’s story highlights the success of the government’s holistic approach to reintegration, which not only includes housing but also addresses the need for economic self-sufficiency.
Key Success Stories of Former Rebels
The NHA Resettlement Assistance Program has had a positive impact on many former rebels. In 2021, fourteen members of the Kapatiran (a group of former rebels) received housing units in projects across Cagayan de Oro and Bukidnon. This was part of the ongoing effort to provide stable housing for individuals who have committed to leaving their past life behind and embracing peace.
These success stories demonstrate the effectiveness of the NHA’s program, which, in collaboration with OPAPP and other agencies, is making a real difference in the lives of former rebels. Former rebels who have received housing and livelihood assistance now live in safer environments, with improved prospects for their families.
Video: NHA Awarding of Housing to Former Rebels at Freedom Park
The NHA Resettlement Assistance Program is a government initiative primarily meant to support former rebels by offering a variety of housing options and financial assistance, the program helps ease their transition from armed struggle to civilian life and foster peace, stability, and a better future for former rebels and their families. If you or someone you know is a former rebel in need of housing assistance, you may follow the steps outlined in this guide. You may also watch this video showing the awarding of housing to former rebels as shared by RTVMalacañang: