Surigao Norte FRs receive P2-M worth of livelihood projects from gov't
GIGAQUIT, Surigao del Norte -- The members of different people’s organizations within the conflict-affected areas in Surigao del Norte, who are former members of the underground mass organization of communist-terrorist groups, availed of the 30th Infantry Battalion (30IB) Community Support Program and were able to benefit from livelihood projects from the different government agencies under the Poverty Reduction, Livelihood, and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) of the National Task Force of Ending Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) in Surigao del Norte during a series of turn-over activities in March 2022.
The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), on their part, turned over 5,000 dwarf coconut seedlings worth PhP750,000 to the farmers of Brgys. Mahanub and San Antonio in Gigaquit. Said activity was graced by PCA-Caraga OIC Joel Oclarit, who personally handed over the coconut seedlings; Gigaquit Municipal Mayor Chandru Bonite and Vice Mayor Jennifer Bonite; Gigaquit Municipal Agriculturist Hazel Verano; and Maj. Jasper Gacayan, Executive Officer of 30IB.
The Department of Social welfare and Development-Sustainable Livelihood Program (DSWD-SLP) also turned over different livelihood projects worth PhP300,000 in the form of farm supplies to the farmers of Brgy. Pongtud and income-generating projects for the women of Brgy. Campo, both in the municipality of Bacuag, and Agrivet supplies and frozen products to the farmers and homeworkers of Brgy. Dayano in Mainit.
These series of activities were graced by DSWD-SLP Provincial Coordinator Jhunrey Betonio; Bacuag Sangguniang Bayan (SB) Member Hon. Cedric Tantoy; MSWDO-Bacuag chief Minerva Lomugdang; DTI-Negosyo Center Senior Business Councilor Maria Ali Yuan; and barangay chairpersons of the aforementioned barangays.
“Ang organisasyon sa mga kababainhan nagapasalamat sa tanang ahensya nga nagpaluyo ani nga programa hilabi na sa kasundalohan gikan sa 30IB nga gipamunoan ni Lt. Col. Callanta sa ilang dakong suporta ug lahi-lahi nga assistance nga gihatag kanamo. Gumikan sa pagpa rehistro ining organisasyon nga natukod hangtod sa paghatag kanamo sa mga programa sa gobyerno para sa among panginabuhian. (The women’s organization would like to extend gratitude to all the government agencies behind this program, especially to the troops from 30IB headed by Lt. Col. Callanta for all the assistance and support they rendered to us, from establishing the organization to letting us avail of the government livelihood projects to uplift our way of living)," said Ritchel Otaza, president of the Kabuhayan ng mga Kababaihan, one of the benefitting organizations of the said assistance.
In a statement, Betonio also said that extending livelihood services is key to addressing problems in conflict-affected communities.
“One way to address the many problems in the community is to bring the livelihood services of the government to the people, particularly those living in conflict-affected areas," he said.
"Rest assured that we will extend our assistance and support to the communities and to advocate the attainment of lasting peace and progress," he added.
Lt. Col. Ryan Charles Callanta, commanding officer of the 30IB, affirmed the effectiveness of the convergence among government agencies in order to bring the government's services closer to the people.
"The convergence efforts of the different agencies of the government create significant steps in addressing issues being exploited by the CTGs in conflicted-affected communities. Such activity is a manifestation of the government’s efforts in achieving sustainable peace and development in the whole province of the Surigao del Norte," said the army official. (30th Infantry Battalion, PA/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
