Kalinga TF delivers services to ELCAC barangays

From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 17, 2020): Kalinga TF delivers services to ELCAC barangays (By Peter Balocnit)

CITY OF TABUK, Kalinga, Sept. 16(PIA) – Government programs and services are now being delivered to conflict-affected barangays based on the report of the members of the Provincial Task Force on Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC).

In a recent meeting at the Capitol, some PTF-ELCAC members reported projects and programs they have provided to ELCAC barangays as they committed to continue to deliver services to the 16 NPA- influenced barangays.

Department of Labor and Employment Provincial Officer Avelina Manganip reported their agency provided PhP1.5 million total assistance to Tanglag, Apatan and Asibanglan Farmers Association under their livelihood program.

Wena Buston of the Department of Trade and Industry announced that DTI released Php1.04 million to beneficiaries in ELCAC barangays under its Pangkabuhayan para sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa livelihood package.

Erlinda Taquiqui of the Department of Social Welfare and Development informed the ready release of Php1.3M for 90 beneficiaries in barangays Dupag, Babalag, Ballayangon, Apatan, Balantoy, Gawaan, Upper Uma, Lower Uma, and Guinaang under DSWD’s Livelihood Assistance Grant, and Livelihood and Settlement Grant.

For the Department of Agriculture, Provincial Agriculturist Engr. Domingo Bakilan reported provision of Php1.7M= worth of corn and vegetable seeds and fertilizer to Limos, Ba-ay, Apatan, Ab-abaan, Balantoy, Poswoy, Buaya, Gawaan, Balbalan Proper, Dao-angan, Maling, Salegseg, Dupag, Tanglag, Western Uma, Upper Uma, Lower Uma barangays. Bakilan informed that Barangay Guinaang of Pasil waived its privilege to receive its share, so it was divided equally among the other ELCAC barangays.

Also assisted under DA's Special Area for Agricultural Development are the Maling Agricultural and Fishery Organization, Asibanglan Farm Development Organization, and Tanglag Community Organization for Unity.

In its latest update on NPA-affected barangays, the 503rdBrigade reported additional eight influenced barangays in Kalinga bringing to a total of 21. Added to the list are Ballayangon and Asibanglan in Pinukpuk; Balbalasang, Buaya, Dao-angan, Maling, Talalang and Pantikian in Balbalan. There are also 31 threatened barangays.

“Amidst the pandemic, we have to do our best to deliver public service to ELCAC barangays in order to succeed in winning the war not only to end local communist armed conflict but rise above poverty - the very root cause of rebellion, ” Gov. Ferdinand Tubban told the PTF members.

The Task Force agreed to consider the close monitoring of awarded livelihood projects to former rebels to check if they are operating.

Project implementing agencies are also advised to coordinate with the PNP and the AFP on the identity of recipient organizations/associations to avoid partnering with left leaning groups.

Meanwhile, the PTF-ELCAC received a new enrollee to the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program in the person of former rebel Regie Gangat from Bagumbayan, this city.(JDP/PAB-PIA CAR,Kalinga)



https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1053339