Isolated communities get better access to government services

LEGAZPI CITY (PIA)—The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Bicol has teamed up with other government agencies to capacitate the officials and multi-sectoral bodies in "geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas" (GIDAs) in the region to attain "inclusive" peace and development.

DILG Regional Director Anthony Nuyda said they introduced training programs in GIDAs through the “Serbisyo Caravan” or “Baranggayan” to improve governance at the grassroots level.

He added that it was part of government bid to empower barangay-based institutions in support to the implementation of President Duterte's Executive Order 70 which calls for a whole-of-nation approach to end insurgency.

It included the trainings for barangay officials, local peace and development councils, barangay anti-drug councils, barangay disaster risk reduction and management councils, and the barangay council for the protection of children.

Moreover, DILG also capacitated the barangays to develop their enhanced barangay development plans to come up with short-term and long-term developmental projects. Through this, Nuyda stated that there will be active participation from all the sectors in the barangay.

Nuyda said there were around 200 GIDAs in Bicol wherein they targeted 156 barangays this year for the conduct of Baranggayan.

“Their cooperation signifies that they are one with the government, they want development, and they opt to have peace and development,” Nuyda said, referring to official statements in barangays declaring the leaders and members of the communist terrorist group persona non grata.

Meanwhile, Police Major Malu Calubaquib of the Philippine National Police (PNP)also of Region 5 said 36 municipalities in Bicol have declared communist terrorist groups persona non grata.

Captain John Paul Belleza of the 9th Infantry Division, Philippine Army (PA) reiterated that these declarations showed that the municipalities were vigilant. Through this, he added that the public can immediately report suspected members of the communist group to the authority.

Belleza also said there were 25 regular members and 70 supporters of New People’s Army who surrendered in the region.

On the other hand, the PNP and PA continues with its dialogues and information drives to prevent recruitment of rebels especially in remote areas. (PIA5/CEB)

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