NTF-ELCAC StratCom Cluster visits Sibugay

 By Jocelyn P. Alvarez 

Zamboanga Sibugay, Dec. 07 (PIA) The National Task Force-End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) Strategic Communication (StratCom) Cluster visited Sibugay Province specifically communities under Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs).

 

StratCom Cluster Chair Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) and team went down Barangays Balagon and Mirangan , Siay town, to show support to the community and let the people feel specially former rebels (FRs) and Also Masa residing in the area, that there is a government  that cares and is working on their favor to provide them better lives , and  bring development to insurgency-cleared areas, not just in Sibugay but the entire Zamboanga Peninsula Region. 

“Masaya akong nakitang bumubuti ang inyong kalagayan. Gumaganda ang inyong mga kalsada at may patubig na rin,” said Usec Badoy before an audience of Former Rebels (FRs) and Alsa Masa in Balagon , Siay town. 

Badoy conveyed the government's sincere apology to the victims of insurgency saying “humihingi kami ng tawad sa inyo dahil sa kapabayaan ay nailagay kayo sa kapahamakan.” Badoy was referring to past administrations that exerted  less focus and efforst on the decade-long problem on insurgency of the country.

 

“Kayo ang tunay puwersa, tulungan n’yo po kaming tapusin ‘tong madugong kabanata sa ating kasaysayan,” she said to the audience. 

 

Badoy appealed to choose leaders that truly care for the poor. “Ang dopat iluklok  natin sa puwesto ay ‘yang totoo at maliwanag na sumusoporta  sa NTF-ELCAC dahil maraming nabago ang buhay at hinaharap sa tulong na dala ng ELCAC. She said ,because of ELCAC, more CPP-NPAs are returning to the folds of law as shown by the overwhelming number of  surrenderees recorded, lives transformed, and taken out from bondage of poverty .

 

The lady Usec thanked the people of Balagon for their continued trust and support to the present admimistration as she promised “hanggat nandito kami at ang Pangulong Duterte, kami ay magsisilbi ng tapat at mayos sa inyo.” 

 

Barangays Balagon and Mirangan are beneficiaries of the Barangay Development Program (BDP) under ELCAC where said communities benefited the following projects: ongoing 103km Road Construction and Concreting in Brgy Balagon from Purok -2 to Purok 7. Other projects under the BDP include  farm to market road concreting; agriculture livelihood; piggery; livelihood (enterprise development);  cash for work for 150 beneficiaries; road concreting along school site; construction of day care center in Purok 7 and water system level II for Purok 7.

The Municipal Local Government of Siay donated Four hectare of land for the ongoing housing project of the National Housing Authority (NHA) for 210 identified Also Masa and IP beneficiaries in Brgy Mirangan and 110 bneficiaries in Brgy Balagon . NHA said the said housing project is 30% accomplished and is expected to be fully completed in March 2022.

 The BDP-area visit was made in partnership with the WesternMindanao Command , 44th IB, Philippine Information Agency, Municipal and Provincial Local Government of Zamboanga Sibugay and local media partners.(jpa/ Zamboanga Sibugay)

 

100 IPs in Mabuhay to benefit from Housing Project

 By Jocelyn P. Alvarez

 

IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay, Dec. 6 (PIA) - The local government unit (LGU) of Mabuhay is working on a housing project with the National Housing Authority (NHA) that will benefit 100 Indigenous Peoples (IPs) living in the island, said Mayor Edreluisa “Lulu” Caloñge during the Network Briefing News.

“Nag apply kami noong nakaraang buwan for housing projects for IPs. Nagkaroon na ng coordination meeting with NHA para sa finalization ng proyekto na itatalaga sa Barangay San Roque (we have applied last month for a housing project for IPs. We already did our coordination meeting with NHA for the finalization of the project which will be constructed in Barangay San Roque)," Caloñge said.

 

She said her administration is now waiting for the download of the funds for the said housing project.

“Meron tayong 100 IP recipients. Aasahang sisimulan ang proyekto sa  sa susunod na taon, 2022 (we have 100 IP-recipients and we are expecting that the housing project will commence next year, 2022)," mayor Caloñge informed.

She said the IP housing project, when completed, will also serve as tourist destination.

 

Meanwhile, Mayor Caloñge also informed that the MLGU have recently purchased a one-hectare land that will serve as relocation site for affected residents of Brgy. Sawa as the said island barangay is exposed and vulnerable to several hazzards as assessed by its Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office.

 

Mayor Caloñge said she have already met with the affected residents for the move  being undertaken and have also applied with NHA for another housing project for the benefit of the affected resident. (RVC/EDT/JPA/Zamboanga Sibugay)

 

Pres. Duterte turns-over P139-M infra projects in Mabuhay town

 By: Jocelyn P. Alvarez

IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay, Dec. 6 (PIA)- Mabuhay folks will now enjoy better road access as President Rodrigo Roa Duterte officially turned over the P139,413.924 farm to market road during his Dec. 2, 2021 visit in Zamboanga City .

Mayor Edreluisa “Lulu” Calonge, Mabuhay town chief executive said during the Network Briefing News, the newly tuned over road will pave the way for better life for the people in island municipality and redound to ease of doing business, as local produce of farmers and fisherfolk can now be transported easily and with less travel time and cost effective in transportation.

She thanked President Duterte for including her town as beneficiary to the Build Build Build Program (B3) of the administration. 

“Napakalaking tulong hindi lang sa mga magsasaka at mangingisda para sa pag transport ng kanilang mga produkto, pati na din sa mga guro at mag aaral. Tiyak na maiiwasan na ang napaka putik at lubak lubak na daanan.” (This is huge help not only to our farmers and fishermen but to teachers and students as well. We can now avoid the muddy and impassable road)

The lady mayor also revealed another project under the B3 which is the concrete bridge that will connect the island to the mainland. 

“Ito ay isang katuparan ng pangarap ng lahat ng mga tao sa isla na kami ay napabilang sa Buld Build Build project ng ating mahal na Pangulo’ (This is a dream come true for us, islander, to be included in the Build, Build, Build project of our beloved president), Mayor Calonge said.

“Magiging komportable na ang aming transportasyon patungong mainland.” 

(we will now have ease and comfort in traveling to the mainland). She added. (EDT/JPA/ Zamboanga Sibugay)

PRRD: I will never tolerate terrorism

By: Jayson R. Aucensillo

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Dec. 2 (PIA) -- President Rodrigo Roa Duterte emphasized in his message during the inauguration of 143 Social and Tourism Ports here that terrorism should not be tolerated but instead eliminated in the country.

"I never tolerate terrorism," he said.

As the President’s delivering his speech, he shared that he tried to reach out to the communists terrorists group leaders to talk with sincerity on equal terms but it resulted to regression.

“Even with the objections of the military, I still reached-out pero ayaw nila,” he explained.

President Duterte said for over 53 years now, the communist terrorist groups (CTGs) continue to destroy the lives of the Filipinos and this should be put to an end by institutionalizing campaigns on ending local communist armed conflict which should be sustained even beyond 2022 in order to attain inclusive and lasting peace in the country.

He also stressed that even with the difficulties encountered amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the administration remained unrelenting in pursuing its commitments to the Filipinos.

“I am always mindful of my promises. Even if I did not totally complete it, I can say with pride, I fulfilled most of them,” said President Duterte.

He assured the Filipino people that the Duterte administration will be persistent in implementing vital infrastructure projects to improve lives and remain steadfast in pursuing sustainable development projects in the country.

He is also hopeful that problems of illegal drugs and terrorism will be prioritized by the next government. (EDT/RVC/JRA/PIA9-Zamboanga City)

PRRD inaugurates seaport dev’t project in Zambo

By Myra Cel L. Espinosa

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Dec 2 (PIA) – President Rodrigo Roa Duterte together with Senator Christopher ‘Bong’ Go personally visit Zamboanga City to inaugurate the 143 Social and Tourism Ports in the country and the Zamboanga City Seaport Development Project.

Courtesy of RTVM

President Duterte emphasizes to complete all projects before he steps down from the position and he commended the efforts of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for meeting the expectations and finishing almost all the infrastructure projects in the country. 

“I hope that these newly enhanced projects will support not only Zamboanga City but the entire Mindanao. This administration will continue to implement vital infrastructure projects to improve the life of Filipinos and we remain committed to provide sustainable projects for all kababayans even beyond year 2022,” President Duterte added. 

Courtesy of RTVM

The Seaport Development Project is envisioned to provide better accessibility to coastal and island communities in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, particularly in displaced areas due to rasping sea conditions and those that are in straitened circumstances.

Moreover, these aim to provide better port infrastructure to enhance maritime mobility and connectivity, and open doors for economic, tourism and income-generating opportunities.

Mayor Beng Climaco expressed her gratitude to President Duterte for the numerous projects and continuous development in Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi area, “these projects are more than enough for the city and the neighboring islands, all these projects became possible because of our president,” she added.

The series of events also included the visit of President Duterte, who is accompanied by DOTr Sec. Arthur Tugade in Zamboanga International Airport to inspect the development including the Malasakit Hall at the Zamboanga International Airport. (RVC/MLE/PIA9-Zamboanga City)

Gains of ELCAC initiatives in ZamPen showcase during PRRD visit

 By: Emmanuel D. Taghoy

 

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Dec. 2 (PIA) - The gains and challenges in the government’s initiative to end local communist armed conflict in the Zamboanga Peninsula region takes center stage today as President Rodrigo Duterte visited Zamboanga City to lead a joint meeting with the national and regional task force.

 

Prior to the President’s arrival, regional line agencies comprising the various clusters of ELCAC presented its accomplishments and spearheaded the turnover of programs and projects to bring development to the insurgency-cleared areas in Region 9.

 

Agencies like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Department of Agriculture (DA) and Department of Agrarian Reform turned-over projects and programs to selected local government units in Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay provinces. 

 

Provincial Governors and local officials who are also present in the joint NTF-RTF ELCAC meeting received the certificates for the beneficiaries.

Upon his arrival, President Duterte inspected developments in the Zamboanga International Airport which include the new Malasakit Hall that houses breastfeeding area, prayer rooms, PWD lounge and other amenities for the waiting passengers.

 

He also visited the Temporary Passenger Terminal Building (TPTB) of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) for the inauguration of 143 Social and Tourism Ports and the Zamboanga City Seaport Development Project.

 

A marker of the Port of Busay in Sacol Island, as part of the ceremonial inauguration was also unveiled.

 

The initiative aims to provide better port infrastructure for the fishermen, banca operators and the riding public that shall in turn, enhance maritime mobility and connectivity, and open doors for economic, tourism and income-generating opportunities. (RVC/EDT/PIA9-Zamboanga del Norte)