Gov't convergence program focuses support for IP community in Sultan Kudarat
By Danilo E. Doguiles / Philippine Information Agency
ESPERANZA, Sultan Kudarat – Through Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP), national line agencies in SOCCSKSARGEN Region in partnership with the Provincial Government of Sultan Kudarat and the Municipal Government of Esperanza are gearing up to carry out sustainable peace and development efforts to benefit an indigenous people community in Barangay Margues, Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat.
On Wednesday (November 11), the provincial and municipal government offices as well as the national line agencies together held a Serbisyo Caravan at Sitio Ugis to kick off the RCSP implementation in the area.
RCSP is a convergence program where all government institutions join forces in a whole-of-nation approach to attain inclusive and sustainable peace and end local communist armed conflict as mandated by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte through Executive Order No. 70.
Communities identified for RCSP implementation are barangays where the Armed Forces of the Philippines has completed Community Support Program (CSP) and require more comprehensive development interventions from concerned LGUs and government agencies.
OIC Provincial Tourism Officer Datu Yahiya Sinenggayan, speaking on behalf of Gov. Suharto Mangudadatu, emphasized that Barangay Margues was selected as RCSP-target area because it is vulnerable to the influence of the communist terrorist group (CTG).
Margues' Sitio Ugis where the Serbisyo Caravan was held is home to 270 families of the indigenous tribes of Dulangan Manobo, Teduray, and Lambangian who may be exploited and recruited by the CTG.
"We do not say that this place is a lair of NPAs or any terrorist group but the provincial and municipal government units, along with different national agencies have identified Barangay Margues as vulnerable to the influence of such groups.
Thus, on the part of the provincial government, under the leadership of our beloved governor, we would like to bring services closer to communities so that you will witness and understand that the government protects your rights and welfare and cares for its people," Sinenggayan said.
During the Serbisyo Caravan, personnel of the provincial and municipal LGUs delivered basic services for residents of Sitio Ugis. These services include medical checkup with free medicine, free eyeglasses, distribution of seeds and seedlings to local farmers, turnover of toilet bowls in line with the zero defecation program, mobile civil registration, and many others.
Representatives of different government agencies such as TESDA, DepEd, DOLE, DSWD, and NCIP were also present to orient the community regarding the services they offer and the process to avail of these services.
As an RCSP target village, Barangay Margues is also eligible for a development support package from the national government as well as sustained support services from different government line agencies. (DED-PIA XII)