PRLEC team launches AKKAP in TF-ELCAC focused barangays in E. Samar

From the Philippine Information Agency (Oct 26, 2020): PRLEC team launches AKKAP in TF-ELCAC focused barangays in E. Samar (By Ninfa Iluminada B. Quirante)

BORONGAN CITY, Oct. 26 (PIA)—The Poverty Reduction Livelihood and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) of the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) launched the Agrikultura at Kabuhayan tungo sa Kaunlaran at Pangkapayapaan (AKKAP) on October 22, 2020, in barangays Boco and Balagon, Can-avid, E. Samar.

It did not matter that the government troops that served as the advance party were ambushed by the NPAs two days before the event.

The army reported then that three government soldiers were wounded in the skirmish along Brgy. Salvacion in Can-avid town, merely three barangays away.

The team was led by no less than the 801st Brigade Commander Camilo Ligayo, 52nd Infantry Battalion Commander Joven Bugarin, Can-avid Mayor Gil Norman Germino, TESDA Provincial Director Antonio Waniwan, with representatives from PIA, PCA, CENRO-Dolores, NIA, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) and the Office of the Provincial Agricultural Services (OPAS) that sailed for four long hours via the Can-avid River.

In the AKKAP launch, TESDA initially distributed 60 scholarship slots for skills training for Electric Installation and Maintenance and another 60 slots for agricultural production in the two barangays.

Ligayo urged the residents of Balagon village to veer away from the armed group and embrace the programs and projects from the government.

Mayor Germino said that the team cannot easily be threatened by the ambuscade.

"We have nothing to fear if we deliver public service," Germino told PIA.

TESDA Director Waniwan informed the barangay constituents that the team is offering livelihood opportunities and distributed seeds to the Balagon Upland Farmers Association led by Nerissa Gales.

In Brgy. Boco, two peoples organization received the seeds for vegetable production.

NIA through Engr. Gregorio Anguren, Jr. promised to bring solar power pumps to the two Can-avid barangays to provide the needed water for their plants.

The other representatives also talked about the different services their agency offers.

To facilitate the program of the PCA Participatory Coconut Planting Project (PCPP), Germino offered one casual employee to Eric Madeja, the PCA representative.

Punong Barangay of Balagon, Bernard Gales, requested PCA to fast track the process so that his fellow coconut farmers will be given the promised incentives.

He added that his people longed for government workers to visit them to make them feel they belong.

"Bisan kun may nahitabo, waray kamo kahadlok, tatagan namon hin maupay nga kabatunan ini nga iyo mga hatag, diri namon kakawangon." (Despite the firefight days earlier, your team did not cower, we will give you the best response, we will nurture the gifts and blessing you delivered to us.)

In Brgy. Boco, an hour later, residents also filled the barangay plaza to meet the guests.

Mayor Germino told them about the projects under PAMANA and the evacuation center to be funded by Sen. Bong Go.

Roberta Obingayan, 65 a senior citizen said that during heavy rains, their barangay is flooded that they built their houses two-stories high.

"Kinakarawat namon, kun ano an iyo mga proyekto, nagpapasalamat kami. An amon mga hingyap nga pakabuhi, iyo unta kami matagan," (We accept the programs and projects you will give us, thank you for addressing our desired livelihood projects) said Punong Barangay Juanito Obingayan in his response.

For his part, 52nd Batcom Joven Bugarin urged the 532 Boco residents to support the programs of the government towards peace and development. He promised to stand by them until the time they learn to fend for themselves. (nbq)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1057021