PRLEC-X launches Project HOPE in Iligan

ILIGAN CITY, Aug. 8 (PIA) - The Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) of region X launched the Project HOPE (Heal One, Protect Everyone) on Thursday, August 6, in Brgy. Rogongon, this city.

In support of Executive Order No. 70 of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte which institutionalizes a “Whole-Of-Nation Approach” to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC), Project HOPE aims to make Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities self-reliant, resilient, and empowered.

"To do this we have to equip them with adequate knowledge and skills through series of training interventions," said Director Lorenzo G. Macapili, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Mindanao Cluster Head.

Macapil said TESDA will conduct skills training for construction-related and agriculture-related qualifications or courses under the project.

Aside from the skills training, an IP hub will also be established to serve as a training center and at the same time office of IPs and community leaders.

TESDA-X Regional Director Tarhata  Mapandi who also acts as the PRLEC-X chairperson asks for the cooperation and commitment of the IPs and the community to sustain the implementation of Project HOPE.

PRLEC-X chairperson and TESDA-X Regional Director Tarhata  Mapandi said they will also put up a communal Agri demo farm and forest nursery that will be utilized during the training.

In return, Mapandi asked for the cooperation and commitment of the IPs and the community to sustain the implementation of the project.

The launching of Project HOPE was highlighted by the turn-over of the programs and projects of different government agencies. 

The Department of Trade and Industry handed over 10 livelihood starter kits for karenderya and sari-sari store as well as knapsack sprayers.

The Department of Agriculture turned-over 30 bags of white under its Corn program and assorted vegetables under its High-Value Crops Development Program while the Department of Labor and Employment handed over Certificate of Entitlements for starter kits for the 34 former rebels (FR).

Three former rebels receive their livelihood starter kits for karenderya, sari-sari store, and knapsack sprayers, respectively from the Department of Trade and Industry.(PIA ICIC)

"Dako ang among pasalamat kay tungod ang ilang mga pasalig hinay-hinay nga nakaabot sa amo-a," expressed Alias Tots, one of the FR-beneficiaries.

(We are very grateful because their commitments have slowly reached us.)

The 30-year-old FR already completed free skills training from TESDA.

"Nagpasalamat kami nga aduna mi nahibal-an sama sa wielding og driving," he added.

(We are grateful that we learned something such as wielding and driving.)

Rogongon Barangay Chairman Rady Pugoy also expressed gratitude to the PRLEC for bringing the government to their community.

"Magpasalamat ko sa mga ahensiya sa gobyerno nga nangadto sa akong barangay.  Magpasalamat pud kami sa atong Presidente diin getagaan niya og tabang ang among IP community. Hinay-hinay nakabangon mi tungod sa lain- laing tabang gikan sa mga ahensiya sa gobyerno," he said.

(I would like to thank the government agencies that came to my barangay. We would also like to thank our President for helping our IP community. Gradually, we are improving because of the various help from government agencies.)

Rogongon Barangay Chairman Rady Pugoy expressed gratitude to the PRLEC for bringing the government to their community. (PIA ICIC)

Pugoy said the starter kits, agricultural inputs, and the free training will be a great help to the families of the recipients.

Other government agencies that participated in the launching were DA, DILG, DSWD, PNP, 4th Mechanized Battalion, NCIP, DPWH, DepEd, CHED, CDA, PCA,  CLDO, Iligan City Government, and Provincial Government of Lanao del Norte. (APB/PIA ICIC) 
 

Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)