Convergence effort for insurgency-affected villages in Iloilo unveiled

ILOILO CITY, Aug. 14 (PIA) - - A convergence effort that would harmonize the delivery of government services and programs on poverty reduction, livelihood and employment in identified insurgency-affected villages in the province of Iloilo was unveiled on Tuesday, August 11.

The convergence effort between member agencies of the Iloilo Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist (PTF-ELCAC) Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) and the local government units commenced in Tubungan town with Project TAMPAD (Tampad nga Serbisyo alay sa Masa Paadto sa Asenso kag Dunang Pag-ugwad) aimed at implementing various skills training for livelihood development program of identified farmers, indigenous peoples and former rebels in Barangay Boloc.

Boloc is the model target barangay in the implementation of the Retooled Community Support Program and pilot barangay for ELCAC activities in the municipality.

Technical Education and Skills Development Authority 6 (TESDA) Regional Director and PRLEC Head Gaspar Gayona said the skills training expected to start this month is just an initial program under the convergence effort during the launching activity held at Tubungan covered gym.

Some 125 slots for five skills trainings worth P2.6 million were made available by TESDA for program recipients in Boloc under its Training for Work Scholarships Program. The skills training courses include organic agriculture production, grains production, masonry NCI, carpentry NCII and shielded metal arc welding NCI.

Gayona urged recipients to own and take care of the program intended to improve their living condition.

“Gina-challenge namon kamo nga dapat tampad man ang partisipasyon ninyo, kanugon ang oras ninyo kay inyo dya nga programa” (We are challenging you to participate sincerely, your time is precious since this is your own program), he said.

In his short message, Boloc Punong Barangay Alejo Capio, Jr. expressed his gratitude to officials and representatives of PRLEC member agencies for their effort and determination to pursue the implementation of the program despite the problems on COVID 19.

He sought the cooperation of constituents to make the program successful so that their gratitude will also be appreciated by the government.

“Kung sarigan naton ang bulig sang gobyerno kon indi magtinguha kag indi magsuccessful, waay it pulos ang pagpasalamat ta kag indi maappreciate kang gobyerno. Ang tanan nga programa dya alalay da sanda kag kita mismo matigayon nga kon paano ang pag-umwad ang aton pangabuhi. Pero kun pabay-an lang naton kag waay sang kooperasyon kag indi magsuccessful, indi maapresyar sang aton nga gobyerno ang aton pagpasalamat” (If we rely on the help of the government and will not exert effort and will not succeed, our expression of gratitude will be useless and will not be appreciated by the government. All government programs are only a support and it is use who will work to uplift our lives. But if will just put it aside without cooperation and it will not succceed, the government will not appreciate our gratitude), said Capio.

Program recipients who attended the activity received face masks from TESDA and an alcohol dispenser to be placed in their barangay hall.

National Intelligence Coordinating Agency 6 led by Director Aldred Limoso distributed 50 packs containing face masks, alcohol, soap and face shields.

Aside from Gayona and Limoso, the launching activity was also attended by DILG Iloilo Director Teodora Sumagaysay, PA 61st IB 3ID Commanding Officer LTC Joel Benedict Batara, Mayor Roquito Tacsagon and representatives of PRLEC member agencies such as NCIP, DA, PCA, PIA, DENR, DPWH and DOLE, among others.

PRLEC is one of the 12 clusters or lines of effort of the NTF-ELCAC to implement the “Whole of Nation Approach” in solving local insurgency. (JSC/laf/PIA6 Iloilo) 

source https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1050226