Sec. Lapeña prods LGUs to fast-track EO 70-backed projects
By Danilo Doguiles / Philippine Information Agency
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, (PIA) -- TESDA Secretary Isidro Lapeña, cabinet officer for regional development and security for Soccsksargen (CORDS XII), urged local government units in the region to hasten the implementation of the projects funded under the Support to Barangay Development Program (SBDP) of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).
In a meeting of the Joint Regional Task Force - ELCAC on Friday, Sec. Lapeña emphasized the need for the provincial task forces - ELCAC and concerned agencies to expedite the accomplishment of the SBDP projects that are expected to alleviate the living conditions in communities previously affected by communist insurgency.
"We acknowledge that the speedy implementation of the 2021 Support to Barangay Development Program (SBDP) fund is necessary to bring the immediate government interventions to our kababayans and to answer and silence the doubts of others. Furthermore, I am enjoining everyone to support the Barangay Development Program. This was conceptualized for the people who needed it the most. it serves the purpose of uplifting the living condition of communities and individuals in the far-flung areas affected by decades of communist insurgency," Sec. Lapeña said.
Sixty-two barangays in Region 12 received P20-million each this year to fund development projects most needed by their communities. The total SBDP allocation for Region 12 amounts to P1.24 billion.
These barangays were cleared of communist influence through the Armed Forces of the Philippines' Community Support Program (CSP), which was expanded to Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) as a whole-of-nation approach to quash communist insurgency and sustain development in these communities as mandated in President Rodrigo Roa Duterte's Executive Order No. 70.
At the said meeting, Ian Jon Clemente, planning officer designate of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) XII, reported that the 62 barangays have proposed 206 projects consisting of 163 infrastructure projects such as farm-to-market roads (FMR), potable water systems and school buildings with aggregate amount of P1.198 billion, 13 electrification projects (P17.77 million), 12 livelihood projects (P14.36 million), and 18 social services related programs (P18.55 million).
Of the 176 infrastructure projects (including electrification projects), six have already been granted notice to proceed (NTP); the remaining 152 are "under preparation," Clemente noted.
Projects with NTPs are FMRs in Barangays Don Panaca and Bantac in Magpet; Luayon in Makilala; La Esperanza and New Cebu in President Roxas; and Batang in Tulunan, all in Cotabato Province.
James Domini Labiano, PTF-ELCAC focal person of Cotabato Province told Secretary Lapeña that with marching order from Governor Nancy Catamco, all 51 infrastructure projects in the province shall have NTPs by the last week of September.
Twenty-nine of the SBDP target barangays in Soccsksargen Region are in Cotabato Province.
In Cotabato Province, the SBDP beneficiary barangays are Camutan in Antipas; Datu Ladayon, Kabalantian, Lanao Kuran, Malibatuan, and Tumanding in Arakan; Amabel, Bangkal, Bantac, Binay, Del Pilar, Doles, Don Panaca, Manobisa, Manobo, and Noa in Magpet; Batasan, Biangan, Luayon, Malabuan, and Old Bulatukan in Makilala; Del Carmen, La Esperanza, Lomonay, New Cebu, and Tuael in President Roxas; Banayal, Batang, and Bituan in Tulunan; and, Balabag, Linangcob, Marbel, New Bohol, Perez, Sikitan, and Singao in Kidapawan City.
In South Cotabato: Barangay Ned in Lake Sebu.
In Sarangani: Alegria, Datal Anggas, Domolok, and Pag-asa in Alabel; Nalus, and Tamadang in Kiamba; Bales, Lumasal, Malbang, and Seven Hills in Maasim; and Kihan, Kinam, and Upper Suyan in Malapatan;
In Sultan Kudarat: Bantangan, Datalblao, Lasak, Libertad, Maligaya, Mayo, Natividad, Poblacion, Polomolok, Sinapulan, Sucob, and Telafas in Columbio.
Apart from the P20 M support fund from the national government, these barangays are also beneficiaries of development interventions from national line agencies. (PIA XII)