TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Apr. 27 -- The Surigao del Sur Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (LTF-ELCAC) has set another developmental footprint as it revealed an ongoing farm-to-market road rehabilitation from Sitio Simowao (Kilometer 9) to Sitio Han-ayan (Kilometer 16) in barangay Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur in an ocular inspection on Monday. The project is part of the implementation of the National Task Force ELCAC’s Barangay Development Program (BDP).
These sitios were formerly the haven of the Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs). Barangay Diatagon of Lianga was then a home for the Communist NPA Terrorist (CNT) alleged front schools, Tribal Filipino Program of Surigao del Sur (TRIFPSS), and Alternative Learning Center for Agriculture and Livelihood Development (ALCADEV) which were exposed by former rebels and ordered to stop its operations by the Lianga Indigenous People (IP) Council by virtue of resolutions and ordinances adopted by the Local Government Unit and backed by the Caraga Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.
Currently, Surigao del Sur Governor and Regional Peace and Order Council Chairman, Alexander T. Pimentel, has supported the rehabilitation of the farm-to-market road by providing fuel and equipment as the 544th Engineer Battalion and the 3rd Special Forces “Arrowhead” Battalion provided the manpower and security to finish the development projects.
The road rehabilitation was instrumental as it opened the gateway for government services. The NTF-ELCAC’s orchestration of government efforts to address the root causes of NPA terrorism has resulted in the establishment of DepEd-accredited IP Schools of Living Tradition (DepEd-SLTs), the provision of livelihood settlement grants, the delivery of various social and basic services to the IP communities was realized and sustained.
The IP communities in Surigao del Sur, Lianga tribal chieftain Datu Constancio Duhac, and IP Mandatory Representative (IPMR), Alexander S. Bucales along with San Miguel IPMR, Rico Maca said that NTF-ELCAC’s thrust has freed them from the bonds of CPP-NPA exploitation and opened the gateway for IP communities towards sustainable development.
“Ang mga senador na gustong tanggalan ng budget ang NTF-ELCAC at BDP ay hindi nakakaintindi sa kalagayan at kahirapan ng tribo hindi lamang sa Surigao del Sur kundi sa buong Pilipinas. Pag tinanggalan mo ng budget ang NTF-ELCAC BDP, hindi matutuloy ang mga project na para sa aming mga conflict-affected barangays at dadami nanaman ang rebelde dahil sa kahirapan,” Datu Rico Maca said.
“Ang NTF-ELCAC ang aming pag-asa sa pag-unlad ng aming tribo. Kapag nagawa na ang mga kalsada mas mabilis nanaming maibababa ang mga produkto naming at mawawala na ng tuluyan ang mga NPA dahil wala na silang mapagtataguan,” Datu Constancio Duhac added.
Meanwhile, the provincial government of Surigao del Sur will implement the BDP and the municipalities have already prepared the documentary requirements to push through with the identified projects that would address the roots of conflict in the province. (1st Lt. Krisjuper Andreo Punsalan/CMO-3rd SFBn/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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