In accordance with the implementation of Executive Order 70 to End Local Communist and Armed Conflict (ELCAC) nationwide, the Provincial Government of Cotabato launched Serbisyo Caravan yesterday at Balite, Magpet.
The Order mandates civilian governments to take the lead in ending insurgency through Retooled Community Service Program (RCSP) or a convergence of all government services in the identified priority area.
Balite has been identified by the Armed Forces of the Philippines as among the eight priority barangays in the province influenced by the CPP-NPA.
Led by the members of the Provincial Task Force (PTF) on ELCAC, Serbisyo Caravan consisted of government agencies from regional, provincial and Magpet municipal offices. Security was jointly provided by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police.
SerbisyongTotoo
In her message, Acting Governor Emmylou “Lala” J. Taliño-Mendoza thanked all the participating agencies especially those coming from the regional offices. She said that even before E0 70, the Provincial Government of Cotabato has reached out to barangay Balite through infrastructure support and the provision of a three-classroom building at Balite Elementary School.
She added that aside from the support on education and the ongoing road opening of 4 kilometers Sitio Natayukan-Sitio Lakwakon road in Balite, other services were made available to residents of the barangay like livelihood, social and health services in her administration and in coordination with the local government unit of Magpet under Mayor Florenito T. Gonzaga.
Government interventions
Residents of barangay Balite led by Chairman Edgar Antok received government interventions like medical and dental services, buntis kits and hygiene kits for pregnant women, eyeglasses for senior citizens, supplemental feeding and anti-polio vaccination for 0-59 months old babies, free haircut, authentication of birth certificates, distribution of fingerlings, fruit trees and vegetable seeds, veterinary health services for pet and farm animals, and distribution of rice, sardines and noodles packs.
Other programs and projects offered included housing, skills training, support to community enterprise, land titling, electrification, scholarship and free police clearance.
Under the Serbisyong Totoo Entrepreneurial Program, 63 applicants from Balite will benefit from a livelihood assistance after the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between the Provincial Government and the beneficiaries.
A former rebel and full time member of Guerilla Front 53, Harold Alforjas Adiaton received livelihood assistance package from the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program or E-CLIP and from the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) and P50,000 cash assistance from the local government unit of Magpet.
Continued collaboration
“Maintaining peace and advancing development are everybody’s concern. Your support and cooperation are necessary to sustain the initiative we have started here today.”
This was emphasized by Acting Governor Mendoza as she addressed the residents of Balite and explained that Cotabato is the pilot province and will set the template in the implementation of ELCAC in Region XII.
Integration and synchronization of government services will be key in sustaining ELCAC. This will also require regular monitoring and evaluation of all programs and projects implemented and for implementation in the priority areas.
After Balite, Serbisyo Caravan will be conducted atBasak, Magpet on October 17 and Kabalantian, Arakan on October 18.
The other remaining five priority barangays scheduled for Serbisyo Caravan are Don Panaca in Magpet, Datu Ladayon in Arakan, Malabuan and Luayon both in Makilala and Batang in Tulunan.//end//
