By Apipa P. Bagumbaran
ILIGAN CITY, May 26–Members of the provincial, city, municipal, and barangay task forces to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) in Lanao del Norte and Iligan City gathered in a virtual levelling session organized by the Regional Task Force (RTF) ELCAC-X, Tuesday.
Interior and Local Government Region 10 Director Arnel Agabe said the meeting aims to create greater synergy in the efforts being carried out by the local task forces to improve the implementation of Executive Order No. 70.
“Gusto nato mahibaw-an kung unsay pwedeng buhaton sa atong mga local government units gikan sa barangay hangtud sa munisipyo, syudad, lalawigan para mas mapaayo nato ang atong lokal nga pangagamhanan kay kini usa sa mga exploited issues nga gedala sa mga walhon nga grupo nga kita sa gobyerno dili gahatag og maayong serbisyo,” he said.
[We want to know what our local government units can do from the barangays to the municipality, city, and province so that we can improve our local governance because one of the exploited issues used by the leftist group is that the government is not providing a good service.]
Agabe said the provincial leveling session can help in knowing what programs, guidelines, systems, strategies and structures to utilize to ensure the success of the efforts to end the local communist armed conflict and other efforts against terrorist groups.
Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, in his message, highlighted the critical role of each stakeholder especially the local government units to achieve a more peaceful and prosperous region.
“Diri mosulod ang importansya sa pagpatuman sa Barangay Development Program sa kagamhanan nga sa pagkakaron dili masabtan sa mga kritiko. Kung buot huna-hunaon diri na maipakita nga dunay sustainable grassroots development, dunay paghatag og importansya sa mga kabus ug menorya. Dako pa ang gekinahanglan nato nga pagabuhaton pero pinaagi sa whole-of-nation approach mas mogaan ang pagkab-ot sa atong mga tinguha,” he emphasized.
[This is where the importance of implementing the government’s Barangay Development Program comes into play which is currently not understood by critics. If you think about it, this will show that there is sustainable grassroots development, the poor and minorities are given importance. There is still much to be done but through the whole-of-nation approach it will be easier to achieve our aspirations.]
Andanar, who is also the Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security for Northern Mindanao, further conveyed that the national government and the regional line agencies strongly support the President in providing a comfortable life for every Filipino.
During the session, participants were oriented on the recruitment strategies of the communist rebels as well as their regional design and guerilla front operations. They were also able to raise concerns and clarifications on how they can contribute to ending local communists armed conflict in their respective localities.
“This webinar is very interesting to me in order to gain additional knowledge to this leftist groups on how they are manipulating the minds of the young in our respective area. We need to unite as one for the better future of our young generation and us,” expressed Punong Barangay Anthonny Chua Dahili of Barangay Caromatan in Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte. Philippine Information Agency
The Ranao Star 