PTF ELCAC holds first RCSP immersion in Mansalay

From the Philippine Information Agency (Feb 19, 2021): PTF ELCAC holds first RCSP immersion in Mansalay (By Luis T. Cueto) 

A Mangyan woman receives food pack from the government during the recent immersion of the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF ELCAC) held in Brgy. Panaytayan, Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro. (Photo credit: 203rd Bantay Kapayapaan Brigade, Philippine Army)

MANSALAY, Oriental Mindoro, Feb. 19 (PIA) -- The Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF ELCAC) recently conducted a three-day Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) Immersion in Brgy. Panaytayan in this town.

The PTF ELCAC and the Municipal Task Force (MTF) immersed in the place of Hanunuo Mangyan tribe in order to personally know their actual situation so they can respond to their needs.

A ‘Serbisyo Caravan’ was held to serve the needs of Mangyans in the barangay especially those who are living from Sitios Sinariri, Taytay, Bukana, Kipalinay, Gaang, Padilag and Dagum. These sitios belonged to the category of Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) where basic services of the government could hardly be reached due to inaccessibility and far-off places.

During the caravan, the government provided the Mangyan with free medical consultation, free registration of birth, membership registration for PhilHealth, distribution of vegetable seeds, distribution of food packs and orientation on the existing programs of different government agencies.

Aside from the government, some Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) like Operation Blessing and Akayin Group, also extended their help to the Mangyan tribe. The Operation Blessing gave 63 reams of A4 bond paper which can be used by students in the modular learning. The Akayin Group also provided the children with school supplies and toys.

In his message, Brigadier General Jose Augusto Villareal, head of the 203rd Infantry (Bantay Kapayapaan) Brigade, Philippine Army, thanked the local government and the national governments for their support to the program.

“Sa ating sama-samang pagmamalasakit at pagtutulungan ay ating matutuldukan ang mga problemang panlipunan na syang ginagamit ng mga teroristang CPP-NPA sa kanilang panlilinlang sa mga Mangyan. Sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng tamang impormasyon at dekalidad na serbisyo sa ating mamamayan ay ating mabibigyang-daan ang kapaypaan at pag-unlad ng bawat pamayanan [With unity, concern and support, we can ease the burden of society, which is being used by the CPP-NPA terrorists to deceive the Mangyans. By g iving the right information and quality service to the people, we pave the way for peace and progress in every community.],” said Villareal.

The immersion is in line with the RCSP as mandated in Executive Order No. 70, which is institutionalizing the Whole-of-Nation Approach in attaining inclusive and sustainable peace, creating a national task force to end local communist armed conflict, and directing the adoption of a national peace framework.

Villareal encouraged all Mangyans living in Brgy. Panaytayan to avail all programs and services of the government and ostracize the communist beliefs that lead them to danger.

The immersion was organized through the leadership of Oriental Mindoro PTF ELCAC Chairman Gov. Humerlito A. Dolor with the active participation of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer (PSWDO)/PTF ELCAC Focal Person Zarah C. Magboo and Mansalay MTF ELCAC Chairman Mayor Ferdinand Maliwanag, in a person of Vice-Mayor Leynette G. Postma.

The program was supported by different government agencies, such as Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Philippine National Police (PNP), PhilHealth, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Philippine Army, DepEd and the local government of Mansalay. (LTC/PIA-OrMin)

A program beneficiary fills up a form for free registration to PhilHealth. Philhealth shoulders the contribution of qualified indigents. A total of 649 indigents were registered to PhilHealth during PTF ELCAC immersion in Mansalay according to PhilHealth Provincial Officer Ma. Neresa C. Reganit. ((Photo credit: 203rd Bantay Kapayapaan Brigade, Philippine Army)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1067249