Amas, Kidapawan City- Thirty six barangays of the province are set to receive P20M budget allocation each from the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) through Support to Barangay Development Program (SBDP).
This was disclosed during the quarterly meeting presided by Cotabato Governor Nancy A. Catamco on Wednesday, February 17, 2021 of the Provincial Task Force on Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) held at the Capitol Rooftop, Amas Kidapawan City.
Mr. Manuel Paclibar of the Provincial Budget Office (PBO) presented the guidelines on the implementation of the Support to Barangay Development Program (SBDP) Fund or the P20M financial aid given to ELCAC identified barangays.
Based on the said guidelines, from the P20M SBDP fund, identified ELCAC barangays are allowed to implement the following programs and projects: farm to market roads, school buildings and health stations; water and sanitation system; reconstruction, rehabilitation and other similar projects in connection with the occurrence of natural and man-made induced calamities; housing and electrification projects; agricultural and livelihood projects and other needs of the barangay.
In her message, Governor Catamco expressed her excitement for the recipient-barangays who will now have the opportunity to develop their communities with the barangay development fund that will be downloaded to them by the national government. These include: 1 barangay from Antipas; 5 barangays each from Arakan, Makilala and President Roxas; 10 from Magpet; 3 from Tulunan; and 7 from Kidapawan City.
She also lauded the different line agencies who participated the conduct of Nagkakaisang Adhikain para sa Cotabeteños Lokal Serbisyo Caravan (NAC-LSC) last year.
“We are so grateful to all our partner agencies for your commitment and passion to serve the people of Cotabato Province. We just don’t give our services to the people but we also share our love and dedication as government servants,” the governor said.
She also stressed that any program of the government is a shared responsibility between the government and community and it is important that both are in harmony.
On the other hand, 39th Infantry Batallion Commander Lt. Col Jeoffrey M. Carandang also expressed his gratitude to Governor Catamco for supporting the Armed Forces of the Philippines Retooled Community Support Program promoted by EO-70 or the Whole-Of-Nation-Approach that aims to address the identified issues of conflict-affected communities by bridging development gaps, providing the needs of the community and ensuring sustainable peace and development.
This year, the NAC-LSC is expected to serve 41 more conflict barangays in the province and set to resume this coming February 24, 2021.//pgo-idcd//
