Army joins PRLEC in development program launching for IP community in Agusan Norte
By 1Lt.
Roel T. Maglalang
BUENAVISTA,
Agusan del Norte, Mar. 29 -- The 23rd Infantry (Masigasig) Battalion (23IB),
Philippine Army joined the members of the Provincial Task Force-End Local
Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) and the Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and
Employment Cluster (PRLEC) of Agusan del Norte during the conduct of the mass
graduation and the launching of the Barangay Development Program (BDP) in Sitio
Bokbokon, Barangay Lawan-lawan in Las Nieves town.
The
mass graduation and the launching of the BDP, led by the Technical Education
and Skills Development Authority of Agusan del Norte (TESDA-ADN) under the
leadership of Provincial Director Rey M. Cueva was also in time with the
conduct of the two-day immersion activity of the Provincial Peace and Order
Council (PPOC) of the province.
A total
of 104 Indigenous Peoples (IPs) belonging to the Higaonon tribe received their
Certificates of Training during the activity. Of the 104 IPs who graduated from
the TESDA-ADN training, 50 have completed their Land Preparation for Organic
Crop Production Training, 25 completed the Fishpond Preparation Training while
29 completed the Basic House Wiring Training.
During
the graduation ceremony, Dir. Cueva urged the new graduates to apply what they
have learned during the sets of training to help them improve their lives.
“We are
now doubling our efforts to reach more communities in geographically isolated
and disadvantaged areas to ensure and promote sustainable livelihood for the
people. May they use the skills taught to them in order for them to pull
themselves out from poverty,” Cueva said.
Meanwhile,
Lt. Col. Julius Cesar C. Paulo, the commanding officer of 23IB, also witnessed
the graduation of the IPs and expressed gladness over the milestone they
achieved in their lives.
“Through
the implementation of the Executive Order No. 70 (EO 70) institutionalizing the
Whole-of-Nation Approach, the PTF-ELCAC and PRLEC in Agusan del Norte have
provided different opportunities and the prioritization of the IP communities,
especially those that need assistance and help them become productive
citizens,” Paulo said.
He
added that through the services and projects implemented by the government,
residents, especially in remote areas, will have a chance to be given different
sustainable livelihood programs to support their daily needs.
“These
programs and services are implemented with the aim to end the insurgency. The
Communist New People’s Army (NPA) Terrorists (CNTs) are using poverty issues in
their propaganda to deceive people,” Paulo said.
He
emphasized that by addressing the problems of poverty, the affected residents,
particularly those in the countryside will be given the great opportunity to
emancipate themselves and eventually defeat the insurgency. (CMO Officer, 23IB
PA/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
DA 13 conducts
Cultural Sensitivity Training in Surigao City
SURIGAO
CITY, Surigao del Norte, Mar. 29 --The Department of Agriculture (DA) - Caraga
conducted recently a three-day Cultural Sensitivity Training and Technical
Orientation for DA 4Ks Program Implementation in Surigao City.
The
program provides assistance to the Indigenous Cultural Communities / Indigenous
Peoples (ICCs / IPS) in the form of agricultural and fisheries-related
livelihood opportunities, investments, and various support services through
targeted Community Needs Assessments (NCA).
According
to DA 4Ks Focal Person Edelmira R. Luminarias, it is important to know the
culture and rights of the ICCs / IPs to have a better understanding of their
needs and identify appropriate interventions for a sound program
implementation.
The said orientation was participated by identified beneficiaries of the 4Ks program from different indigenous communities in Surigao City. (DA Caraga/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
