GOVERNMENT TROOPS EMPOWER TRI-PEOPLE IN NORTH COTABATO

In order to bring peace and development in the hinterlands of North Cotabato, the Provincial government in partnership with the Philippine Army is continuously extending various governmental services to the constituents in the province. This is one way of showing that the government is indeed serious with its commitment to attend to the needs of its constituents, whenever…wherever.

In fact, a Water System Development Project-Level II in Sitio Guitawan, Poblacion, Arakan was recently turned-over by Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to the Local Government Unit of Arakan. KALAHI-CIDSS or tha Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services is one of her administration’s flagship poverty alleviation program implemented by the DSWD. It is currently being implemented in 184 municipalities in 42 provinces.

According to Mayor Romulo Tagpos of Arakan, North Cotabato that the project was not possible without the cooperation of all the constituents of Arakan and the support of Philippine Army’s 57th Infantry Battalion which has been selflessly rendering invaluable services to ensure safety and security of the people and the project, as well.

Romano Gapo, one of the 500 Lumads who fled from their respective houses during the attack of the communist rebels recently said that the government troops helped them with various livelihood activities and literacy programs apart from strengthening the barangay defense force in most areas in the province. “The army helped us in building our houses which were destroyed during the Reds’ attacks and even helped us through with our livelihood activities. They also help our kids acquire basic education through their literacy programs”, said Romano.

Asked if army’s presence in the area threatens the constituents in North Cotabato, Feria Magbanua refuted such allegation saying that the troop’s presence helped them cope up with the traumatic experiences from the rebels’ harassments. “Their presence gives us hope to live a peaceful and worry-free life”, she added.

North Cotabato Governor Jesus Sacdalan said that his constituents now become responsive and vigilant to any form of menace posed by any threat groups in the province because of the reactivation of barangay defense force in every municipality of North Cotabato. He also lauded the efforts of the state forces deployed in his province for brining literacy, peace and development closer to the people. “We hope that this undertaking will continue so that all our constituents- Christians, Muslims and Lumads shall be empowered socially, emotionally and economically to defeat poverty and communist oppression”, Governor Sacdalan said.