The Province of Cotabato (North Cotabato) has commenced the implementation of Executive Order No. 70 in Barangay Kabalantian in Arakan aiming to end insurgency in the said barangay identified as infested with New People’s Army (NPA).
In December last year, President Rodrigo Duterte formed a national task force that would work out a mechanism to help end the decades-old communist insurgency. The creation of the task force is contained in EO No. 70, which also institutionalizes a “whole-of-nation approach” in attaining an “inclusive and sustainable peace.”
Kabalantian is among eight priority barangays for the implementation of EO No. 70 that aims to end local communist armed conflict.
The Province of Cotabato implemented the said EO by conducting Serbisyong Totoo Caravan, which is a multi-agency convergence of the various government agencies spearheaded by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) held in Barangay Kabalantian, municipality of Arakan, Friday.
The activity has transformed the barangay covered court of Kabalantian into a one-stop-shop as all government agencies of the province gathered and brought their services in one venue for the convenience of their constituents.
Services rendered in the said caravan include medical and dental check up, free medicine, free hair cut and nail care, animal vaccination, issuance of police clearance, orientation on livelihood and entrepreneurial training assistance.
Acting Governor Emmylou “Lala” Mendoza said in an interview that they are targeting eight barangays identified by the military positive with the presence of NPA for the said caravan.
“Here in Cotabato, dugay na namo ni ginabuhat kay usahay ang chance na ma-infiltrate ng NPA ang isa ka area kung dili mabatyagan ang presensya sa gobyerno. We are targeting eight barangays and these eight barangays are confirmed having the presence of NPA. But if you can see here may interventions na diri such as all weather roads, facilities, water system, and schools,” Mendoza said.
Mendoza added that the said barangays identified having the presence of NPAs were situated in the municipalities of Tulunan, Makilala, Magpet, and Arakan.
“Ang nag-confirm ani ang mga militar kay sila man nag-indentify together with the DILG. This EO 70 as far as the Province of Cotabato is concerned, amoa lang gina-enhance and make the people understand that dili ma limit sa sundalo ug kapulisan ang pagpahiluna sa hisgutanan peace and security. Apil ang tanan estudyante, mag-uuma, kapitan, maestra, CAFGU. Ang gobyerno maningkamot pud na masuportahan ang barangay sa iyahang panginahanglan,” she said.
Cynthia Ortega, provincial planning and development coordinator and focal person of Serbisyong Totoo said they are targeting 3,000 beneficiaries in Barangay Kabalantian who will benefit from the services of various agencies in Region 12 that include PhilHealth, Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Health (DOH), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and DILG.
“Sabay-sabay silang nag-deliver ng services to address the needs of the community. Prior to this activity there was an immersion conducted in the communities in order for us to identify the priority needs of the barangays involving the different sectors of the communities,” Ortega said assuring that the primary and secondary issues of the said barangay will be addressed in the said activity. She cited land tenurial conflict as the most common issue among constituents of the barangay.
“Meaning may dapat pa i-address ang national government natin sa isyu na ito kasi hindi ito kaya ng provincial or local government to address this problem,” she said.
On the part of the province, Ortega said they have passed ordinances requesting national agencies to intervene and address the issue involving land tenure as intervention. The secondary needs of the community include social services, medical and basic needs.
“Kaya andito din ang TESDA, DOH, DOLE, DAR may mga binibigay sila na mga services,” she said.
