AgSur town, Army lead barangay dev't plan workshop, enhance village officials’ competency

From the Philippine Information Agency (Oct 14, 2020): AgSur town, Army lead barangay dev't plan workshop, enhance village officials’ competency (By 26th Infantry Battalion)

ESPERANZA, Agusan del Sur, Oct. 14 -- The local government unit (LGU) of Esperanza and 26th Infantry (Ever Onward) Battalion (26IB), Philippine Army through the Municipal Planning and Development Office have enhanced the competency of the Barangay Development Council (BDC) during the Barangay Development Plan (BDP) Formulation for Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) Target Barangays for CY 2020 held at the Municipal Hall recently.

The three-day workshop was aimed to guide, train, and assist the barangay local authorities in the planning and preparation of their respective development plans. Topics on the economic sector, environment, infrastructure, social services, and good governance were discussed during the workshop.

The BDP is an official document that contains the programs, projects, and activities (PPAs) intended to provide solutions to issues and concerns in the barangay which were commonly used by the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) as propagandas against the government.

Municipal Mayor Leonida P. Manpatilan of Esperanza encouraged the barangay council to aim more for the development of their barangay. "A vision without action is merely a dream. As the leaders of your barangay, it is your responsibility to create a vision of what do you want your barangay to be," she said.

As per Section 106 of the Local Government Code of 1991, the LGU is mandated to have a comprehensive multi-sectoral development plan to be initiated by its development council and approved by its Sanggunian. For this purpose, the development council at the provincial, city, municipal, or barangay level, shall assist the corresponding Sanggunian in setting the direction of economic and social development and coordinating development efforts within its territorial jurisdiction.

"The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) cannot do it alone. The fight against insurgency is a collaborative effort among all concerned line agencies. Everyone is involved and this BDP is like a compass to show the direction of your barangay. This will also strengthen our community preventing the terrorist from their recruitment and deceptions," said Atty. Daniel Longaquit, Municipal Local Government Operations Officer.

Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Reynald Rommel A. Goce, commanding officer of 26IB, emphasized on the importance of BDP formulation in ending the insurgency. "The barangay is considered as the smallest unit of the government and its role in the conduct of government functions is very important. Through your development plans, we can identify the issues and concerns of your barangay. When resolved, the communist terrorists can no longer use these issues as their propaganda against the government," he said.

"Insurgency ends when development begins. I believe that the barangays of Esperanza will put their plans into action in order to end insurgency and attain a higher level of peace. Also, economic prosperity and social justice in their barangays will be achieved, improving their quality of life," Goce added. (1Lt. Percival Carido, CMO, 26IB/PIA-Agusan del Sur)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1054530