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)