Wednesday, May 22, 2019

'Whole-of-Nation' approach highlighted in joint RDC, RPOC meeting

From the Philippine Information Agency (May 22, 2019): 'Whole-of-Nation' approach highlighted in joint RDC, RPOC meeting



Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy of Compostela Valley presents the whole-of-nation approach at the joint full meeting of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) and the Regional Development Council. Uy chairs the RPOC.
Regional Peace and Order Council XI (RPOC - XI) Chairman and Compostela Valley Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy presented in the joint full meeting of the RPOC and the Regional Development Council XI (RDC- XI) the recent accomplishments and ongoing implementation of the "Whole of Nation Approach" in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas in his province.

“We followed the whole of nation model in helping a community rebuild itself after the government was able to clear the area from insurgency,” shared Uy in the Joint RDC-RPOC held Thursday (May 16) at the Grand Regal Hotel.


Uy spoke before government regional heads, representatives of civic and business groups, and Finance Undersecretary Bayani H. Agabin who represented Davao region’s Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez.

The local government executive presented the provincial government’s initiative in helping the former rebel-infested Sitio Puting Bato rebuild and move forward.

Sitio Puting Bato is a mountain community in Barangay Ngan, Compostela town. Puting Bato is inhabited by Dibabawon, Mangguangan, and Mandaya indigenous peoples.

It used to be a conflict-affected area. It also served as host to a "Salugpungan" school that peaked its enrolment in 2013 but students started to disconnect from the Salugpungan in recent years.

The intent to help sustain government programs for rebel returnees was then re-focused to rebuilding the community.

There was no road that led to the community which made it difficult for government workers to reach the area and provide basic services.

“The LGU ensured to have the road network established first. After the road, we scored a major breakthrough by building the first classrooms for Puting Bato Elementary School through the bayanihan way.”

The goal, he said, was to create normalcy and the appropriate way was by providing basic education to the residents.

There were setbacks if the government failed to act urgently, thus, the local chief executive thought of a strategy to gather more stakeholders to speed up the rebuilding process.

Provincial government employees took turns in visiting the area and helped in building the classrooms. The local official opened the “bayanihan” to civic groups such as Gawad Kalinga and private individuals who volunteered to put in their share.

“ We are now on our seventh day of building the classrooms and it is set to be done on May 31, ready for the school opening,” Uy said.


Governor Uy during his visit at Sitio Puting Bato, a former rebel infested community.

The once rebel camp in Compostela Valley where soldiers could hardly get in and penetrate is now a model peace community which will soon open classes for its young IP graders.

Uy admitted inefficiencies before when the community never felt the presence of government.

“I personally asked for their forgiveness for failing to reach out to them in the past. What is important is now when the government is here bringing all other stakeholders in the community to help them rebuild their lives.”

The entire Provincial Peace and Order Council of Compostela Valley continues to seek government interventions to respond to the immediate and long-term needs of the IPs in Sitio Puting Bato.

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1022289

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