By Noel Baguio
The Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) 11 now puts more premium on people as the center of its programs, with the creation of its Human Development Committee (HDC).
RPOC 11 Chairman Governor Rodolfo P. del Rosario said the establishment of the sub-committee is in pursuit of the Aquino administration’s peace paradigm, where providing the basic needs of the people is the best way to peace and its sustainability.
The HDC is expected to focus on improving access to health, better education and more income opportunities to people, particularly in conflict-affected areas or those communities prone to conflict.
Committee Chair Priscilla N. Razon, Officer-in-Charge of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 11, said that the establishment of the HDC was inspired by the success of the convergence for peace and development program of Davao del Norte.
The convergence initiative brings together government resources to depressed and conflict-prone areas of the province.
To date, about 40,000 people have already benefited from a wide array of services brought by the provincial government with the help of the Army, the police, LGUs, and other agencies.
“Davao del Norte is way ahead and we are just trying to replicate this trailblazing convergence to the other provinces,” Razon said.
10th ID Commander BGen. Ariel Bernardo also urged the members of the HDC to be conflict-sensitive in bringing to the target areas all the resources that they can possibly get from potential stakeholders.
