Agusan Norte PRLEC launches San Antonio Agri-Tourism
By Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 9 -- The Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment
Cluster (PRLEC) of the province of Agusan del Norte recently launched the San
Antonio Agri-Tourism Enterprise Village at Brgy. San Antonio, Municipality of
Remedios T. Romualdez (RTR).
During the program held at the municipality’s tourist destination –
Tagnote Falls, Agusan del Norte Governor Dale B. Corvera and RTR Mayor Richard
B. Daquipil cut the ceremonial ribbon.
In her speech, Rep. Ma. Angelica Rosedell Amante-Matba underscored the
necessity of the provision of livelihood opportunities to be given to the
residents of Barangay San Antonio especially in this time of pandemic where
more people are left unemployed. She also extended her full support for the
sustainability of the said project that will benefit the community through this
PRLEC community development initiative.
Also, Gov. Corvera pointed out the importance of unity emphasizing that
if more individuals will come together and work hand-in-hand, “truly, we can
achieve whatever our goal will be,” he said.
Enterprise development programs to be undertaken include: Restaurant and
Shop Souvenir; Farm Tourism and Training Center (vegetable, native chicken and
goat); Fish pond (tilapia); Swine raising; Green Charcoal business; Abaca and
Native Crafts; Health and Wellness spa; Tagnote Falls; Glamping/Homestay; Cut
Flower; and Processed Foods.
Also present during the launching are TESDA-Caraga Regional Director
Ashary A. Banto, TESDA-Agusan del Norte Provincial Director Rey M. Cueva,
Police Regional Office (PRO)-13 Regional Director PBGen. Romeo M Caramat Jr.,
Department of Tourism (DOT) Caraga Regional Director Nelia R. Arina, Joel
Oclarit of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA)-Caraga, Silver Joy B. Tejano
of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, Rose Murphy of the
Provincial Tourism Office, Cristina Cassion of the Land Transportation
Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)-Caraga, Dir. Brenda Corvera of the
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Agusan del Norte, Rustico Ranoco of the
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)-Caraga, Keith Duran,
Provincial Head of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Agusan del
Norte, Provincial Agriculturist Office through Alvin Aclan, Col Pajarito of the
401st Brigade-Philippine Army, PCol. Martin M Gamba of the Agusan del Norte
Police Provincial Office, Lt. Col. Brnjamin B Pajarito Jr. of the 65th Infantry
Battalion, Engr. Charlyn Binghoy of the National Commission on Indigenous
Peoples (NCIP), Rodel Mendez of PENRO-Agusan del Norte, Marlyn Negrido of
DAR-Agusan del Norte, Augustus Manuel Mantua of Land Bank of the Philippines,
RD Genaro Pogata Jr. of the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA),
Administrator Romel M. Natad of the Northern Mindanao School of Fisheries
(NMSF), and Administrator Abegail B. EupeΓ±a of the Agusan del Norte Provincial
Training Center (PTC).
Other member-agencies of PRLEC-Agusan del Norte are: National Commission
on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Department of the Interior and Local Government
(DILG), Philippines Fiber Development Authority (PhilFIDA), Department of
Agriculture (DA), 29th Infantry Battalion, 23rd Infantry Battalion, Agusan del
Norte District Engineering Office, Department of Education (DepEd) Agusan del
Norte Division, and Agusan del Norte Irrigation Management Office. (TESDA-Agusan
del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
Former rebels receive
cash aid from AgSur LGU
By 2Lt. Cecille Tappa
TALACOGON, Agusan del Sur, Nov. 9 – Two former rebels (FRs) from
the municipality of San Luis, this province received cash assistance
amounting to P25,000.00 from the local government unit (LGU) of the said
municipality on November 5, 2020.
Municipal Vice-Mayor Ronald Y. Corvera generously released the cash
assistance as part of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program
(E-CLIP) benefits, a government program that aims to help the rebel members of
the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic
Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) and Militia ng Bayan to restore their allegiance to
the Philippine government.
The FRs, alias ‘Gielan’ who was then a regular member of
the NPA for one year, while alias ‘Nagoy’, an active member of the NPA for
two years, both belong to the Guerilla Front (GF) 88 of North Central
Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) finally realized their futile struggle and
made up their mind to surrender last August 24, 2020, with the hope to have a
more renewed life together with their families.
Alias ‘Gielan’ expressed his gratitude to the government for
the humane treatment they received which they didn't actually expect. “Wala
namo damha nga bisan sa among pagka rebelde tabangan kami sa gobyerno. Gikapoy
na mi sa bukid, walay pulos ang among mga pakigbisog. Gilimbongan lang kami sa
among komander. Nag surrender mi tungod kay ang saad sa NPA nga maayong kinabuhi
nahulog ra sa pag-antos ug kahadlok. Nagpasalamat kami sa gobyerno sa pagdawat
pag-usab ug pagtabang kanamo (We were not expecting that despite being
part of the rebel group, the government still accepted us and offered help. We
got tired living and hiding in the mountains. Our sacrifices were useless and
put to waste. We were fooled by our commander, that’s why we decided to
surrender. We are thankful to the government for taking care of us)," he
said.
Through this government program, the local government agencies are
working hand in hand in serving various initiatives to help sustain the needs
of the former rebels for them to be reintegrated back to the community, be with
their families, and start over with their new lives especially in this pandemic
crisis.
Lt. Col. Reynald Romel A. Goce, commanding officer of 26th Infantry
(Ever Onward) Battalion, encouraged all other rebels in the province of AgSur
to surrender. "I am greatly encouraging those who are still in the ranks
of CPP-NPA movement to peacefully lay down their arms and stop this useless
armed struggle, return to the mainstream society and contribute as good
citizens for the prosperity of the community as well as the whole province of
Agusan del Sur," he said.
“We sympathized to those NPA members who have realized the deception in their organization, that is why our door is open to those who are willing to go back to the fold of the law. We are offering them a way out. But if they continue to resist, then, they will cause their own senseless miseries. Surrender now, Christmas is coming, your family is waiting for you," added Goce. (26IB/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
