Provincial Government Elevating to the National Government the Issues on Overlapping Land Claims, Unstable Commodity Prices

As it prepares to jumpstart the implementation of President Rodrigo Duterte’s EO 70 in the province of Cotabato, the provincial government will be endorsing to the higher authorities the pressing issues on overlapping tenurial claims in the province as well as the fluctuating prices of farm commodities. 

 Acting Governor and Chair of the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict PTF-ELCAC, Emmylou “Lala” J. Taliño-Mendoza recommended for the said measure through a resolution proposed and approved during the  Joint Meeting of the Regional Task Force on ELCAC-SOCCSKSARGEN Region and PTF of Cotabato Province held September 12 at the Provincial Capitol Rooftop, Amas, Kidapawan City.

Mendoza firmly said that leaders from the provincial, municipal and barangay level along with partner agencies like the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Agrarian Reform, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police and other stakeholders have long been pooling all its resources in order to address this troubling issue on land claims but unfortunately, the problem still persisted.

“I think it’s high time that we elevate this issue including that of the unstable prices of agricultural produce to the national government, she said.

The Acting Governor, along with Vice Chair on PTF-ELCAC, Brigade Commander Adonis Bajao of the 1002^nd Brigade and the rest of the PTF members are set to visit nine barangays from the towns of Magpet, Arakan, Makilala and Tulunan which were identified to be pilot areas for the EO 70 implementation.

Activities like barangay coordination, intensive information campaign, needs assessment including solution-setting and Serbisyo Caravan will be among the activities to be undertaken in line with President’s call to end local insurgency through Whole-Of-Nation Approach.\\ozg//