MISOR TASK FORCE BATS
INSURGENCY, DELIVERS SERVICES IN EUREKA, GINGOOG
Delivering basic services, especially to the conflict-affected areas in the province—this is now one of the goals as Province of Misamis Oriental steps up its efforts in operationalizing its Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC).
This is to strengthen and carry out the mission of the said task force, together with the government leaders, agencies, and different civil society groups, selecting Barangay Eureka, Gingoog City as one of the focus areas.
On the same launching date of the MisOr PTF-ELCAC on September 26, Barangay Eureka received basic services and social development packages from different agencies, ensuring active participation of all sectors of society in the pursuit of the nation’s agenda in ending insurgency problem. Moreover, 23 former rebels who returned to the folds of government received cash assistance under the Enhanced Comprehensive Livelihood Integration Program (E-CLIP) of Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
With this, DILG 10 Regional Director Arnel M. Agabe, discloses more efforts of the national government agencies as he urged New People’s Army (NPA) to surrender and believe that the government will help them along the way.
“Our desire is for our current rebels to heed the urgent call in changing their lives. This is the perfect opportunity to surrender while the government is actively here to provide all your necessary needs to start anew,” RD Agabe said.
Basic services for Eureka
Provincial Government of MisOr provided vehicles for transportation, farm inputs like seedlings, vegetable pricks, tables, chairs, and food, gave entertainment through the MisOr band, and financial assistance to the FRs; while Gingoog City Government donated food packs, medical, dental, local civil services, and manpower.
Agencies such as the Department of Environment and National Resources (DENR) donated seedlings, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) vowed to give skills training on raising organic chicken, and Philippine National Police (PNP) provided free dental and operation ‘tuli’.
Moreover, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) presented their commitment for the road project, National Auxiliary Chaplaincy Philippines (NACPHIL) donated bath soaps and school uniforms, and Land Transportation Office (LTO) conducted a briefing on vehicle registration and licensing.
Joining the team were Department of Agriculture (DA) that donated variety of seedlings, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) donated monetary gift, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) donated medical items and school supplies, and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) donated 1000 tilapia.
Also, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) donated 10 sacks of rice and 1600 ready-to-eat food packs, and the Provincial Health Office donated support to dental services, medical consultations, and medicines.
Carrying the vision
DILG Assistant Secretary for Plans and Programs, Francisco R. Cruz vowed to give DILG’s support in carrying out the vision of ELCAC.
Maaasahan po ninyo na kami po sa DILG ay patuloy na susuporta sa gawaing ito. Kami po mismo ang lalapit sa inyo kasama ang ibat-ibang ahensya ng gobyerno,” he said.
Asec Cruz added, “Hindi po si national government ang masusunod kung ano po ang kailangan at ibibigay na proyekto sa inyo. Kayo po ang masusunod dahil yun po ang nararapat.”
Moreover, MisOr Provincial Governnor and MOTF-ELCAC Chairperson Yevgeny Vincente B. Emano highlighted the government’s efforts to attain sustainable peace and development in the region.
“Our government brought all the services and help they could bring for the people in Barangay Eureka. Our government will put all the efforts and commitment to make sure that no one is left behind.”
All of these efforts are in line with the operationalization of Executive Order 70 or the “Whole of a Nation” Approach to end insurgency.