CITY OF ILAGAN, ISABELA – The 12 Clusters/Lines of Effort presented their significant accomplishments in peace-building as well as efforts in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic during the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF) Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) 2nd Meeting.
The said activity was held on July 16, 2020 at the Provincial Capitol of Isabela, City of Ilagan, Isabela. Physically present in the activity were RPOC Chair Gov. Manuel Mamba, Vice Governor Faustino Dy III who represented RDC Chair Gov. Rodito Albano III, RSP Atty. Rommel Baligod of DOJ R2, RD Evelyn Ramos of DOLE R2, RD Demetrio Anduyan Jr. of TESDA R2, RD Dionisio Ledres Jr. of NEDA R2, RD Harold Nacional of NICA R2, RD Angely Mercado of PIA R2, DC Digna Herrera of DILG R2 who represented RD Jonathan Paul Leusen Jr., BGen Larry Mojica of 5th Infantry Division who represented BGen Laurence Mina AFP, PCol. Romaldo Bayting of PNP PRO2 who represented PBGen Crizaldo Nieves, Maj. Gilbert Calimag of AFP as OpCen Head, and retired 5th ID Commander MGen Pablo Lorenzo. RD Loreta Malaluan of DPWH R2, ADG Ray Roderos, and RD Dante Balao of OCD R2 as RTF-COVID19 Chair attended virtually via Zoom.
During the meeting proper, the Cluster Heads and the TWG Chair presented their respective cluster accomplishments, challenges, and ways forward. Some notable achievements include the following: 1) clearing of CTG-affected barangays, 2) neutralization of 69 Militia ng Bayan members in 23 affected barangays through Community Support Program; 3) assisting in the hauling, repacking, and distribution of relied goods to affected families due to the pandemic; 4) implementation of various infrastructure projects under IRM Cluster; 5) conduct of Security Awareness Symposia in 9 Senior High Schools in the region; 6) conduct of briefing on the extent of CTGs’ exploitation of the media; 7) dissemination of news releases, social media cards, and newsletters on government’s anti-insurgency efforts in various platforms; 8) provision of skills and livelihood trainings to Indigenous Peoples’ communities and hard-to-reach areas in the region, 9) construction of halfway houses for former rebels as part of the government’s reintegration efforts, and 10) enforcement of local ordinances and manning of checkpoints in the borders of provinces.
On the other hand, the accomplishments of the Provincial Task Forces-ELCAC were focused towards assisting communities that are greatly affected by the pandemic. Some of these are 1) timely distribution of social amelioration programs, 2) conduct of relief operations, 3) distribution of financial assistance and face masks, and 4) provision of transport services for locally stranded individuals and returning overseas Filipinos. These could not have been attained without the cooperation of several line government agencies and the local government units.
DOLE Secretary and CORDS Bello, in his message, encouraged the body to continue to be more united and more coordinated in bringing government services to the people.(Source: LGOO III EMMALENE KAYE M. LINACERO-BABALO)
