PRLEC provides aid to CNT exploited masses anew via Serbisyo Caravan

From the Philippine Information Agency (Oct 19, 2020): PRLEC provides aid to CNT exploited masses anew via Serbisyo Caravan (By Joyah Mae C. Quimoyog) 

STA. MARIA, Ilocos Sur, Oct. 19 (PIA) - Member-agencies of the Poverty Reduction Livelihood Employment Cluster in Ilocos Sur (PRLEC) of the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, in partnership with the local government unit (LGU) of Sta Maria, conducted the Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay Caravan with the theme “Tulong at Malasakit para sa Ikauunlad at Ikaaangat ng Pangkabuhayan ng mga Mamamayan” at Sitio Paring, Barangay Babal-lasioan, Sta Maria on Saturday, October 17.

The caravan addressed the issues and concerns assessed during the conduct of needs assessment survey of the Community Support Program (CSP) team of the 81st Infantry (SPARTAN) Battalion (IB), Philippine Army and during the Community-Based Dialogue of the PRLEC member-agencies and the LGU-Sta. Maria on October 2.

With the aim of providing the beneficiaries an opportunity to start a new life by initiating their own livelihood, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Ilocos Sur, led by Provincial Director Grace Lapastora, awarded 46 goat heads, sari-sari store packages and hygiene kits to 25 former members of the CPP-NPA-Terrorists' (CNTs’) exploited masses under its Livelihood Seeding Program (LSP)-Pangkabuhayan sa pagBangon at Ginhawa (PBG).

The DTI also awarded two basketballs to the youth sector and conducted livelihood training on making of steamed snacks such as puto cheese, putopao, kutsinta and pork siomai to 25 women in Sitio Paring to also capacitate them with skills that will enable them to earn additional income.

The participants were later formed into the Paring Association of Food Processors.

Mr. Diosdado Divina, one of the beneficiaries of livelihood assistance from DTI-Ilocos Sur said, “Lubos ang pasasalamat namin sa programang hatid ng iba’t ibang ahensiya ng gobyerno. Ang pagkakaisa, pakikipagtulungan at pagsuporta naming mga tiga-Sitio Paring sa ating gobyerno ang siyang naging daan sa mga biyayang ito. Gayundin labis kaming nagpapasalamat sa kasundaluhan ng 81IB dahil sa pagbibigay ng kaliwanagan sa aming isipan.”

The Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in Ilocos Sur also conducted profiling of learners for its skills training of Small Engine Repair, while the Department of Agriculture Regional Office I distributed assorted vegetable seeds to the farmers in the community.

Mr. Jonathan Antonio, representative of the youth sector, thanked the national government for the overflowing assistance that they have provided and will be providing as he is one of the 19 learners who signed up for the skills training to be conducted by TESDA.

“Salamat sa DTI sa mga tulong na inyong ibinigay at sa TESDA para sa training na ibibigay nila sa amin. Suportahan natin ang ating gobyerno hindi lamang dahil tinutulungan tayo kundi dahil tayo ay mamamayang Pilipino,” he said.

Meanwhile, the LGU-Sta. Maria, through its Rural Health Unit (RHU), provided free medical consultations and free medicines to the residents.

The 81IB, headed by Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Rodrigo Mariñas, Jr. PA, also provided free haircut services to the residents and parlor games with prizes as entertainment for the children.

In his message, Lt. Col. Mariñas expressed his trust not just to the beneficiaries of various services and assistance given by the PRLEC member-agencies but to the whole community of Sitio Paring to keep their commitment with the government as these agencies only think of Filipino people’s welfare and development.

“Itong binigay na benepisyo ng DTI ay malaking tulong sa inyong kabuhayan. Nawa’y mapalago natin ito para mas umunlad pa ang inyong pamumuhay. Kami sa 81IB ay patuloy ang pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga iba’t ibang ahensiya ng gobyerno para maiparating ang tulong, hindi lamang dito sa Sitio Paring, pati na rin sa ibang lugar na nangangailangan, dahil wala naman kaming ibang hangarin kundi makapagbigay ng serbisyo at tulong sa ikakaunlad ng ating komunidad," he told the residents of Sitio Paring.

DTI Provincial Director Lapastora also expressed her gratitude to the Philippine Army for facilitating the DTI’s engagement with the residents of Sitio Paring.

“We are grateful to the 81IB because through them, the DTI-Ilocos Sur has now established its linkage with the community, thereby, ensuring the DTI’s steady flow of services in the future,” she said. (JCR/AMB/JMCQ/PIA Ilocos Sur)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1056399