LUNA, Apayao – Governor Elias C. Bulut, Jr. underscored the deep-seated need for equitable government services to curb insurgency and promote development in Apayao.
Speaking during the 52nd anniversary of the 17th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army on October 28, 2024, the governor reflected on Apayao’s challenging journey from insurgency to stability, and stressed that the access to government resources is the linchpin for lasting peace.
During his first term as governor, with nearly 18 billion pesos in infrastructure projects allocated under the late President Benigno Aquino, the province’s transformation accelerated.
“Ngayon ang province, if we look at the infrastructure plan, nasa barangay na. We only have three barangays remaining na hindi pa napupuntahan ng kalsada,” he said as he credits recent development efforts with making once-isolated communities reachable by road.
Bulut believes rebellion often takes place where government presence is lacking, “Lahat ng tao nagrerebelde kapag napapabayaan.”
In his message, the governor recalled the province’s historical neglect and the impact of sustained government commitment.
“Noong 1992, we were a neglected province in the Cordillera,” he said and pointed to Paco Valley and Marag Valley which once served as insurgent strongholds, areas that Apayao leaders worked hard to reclaim through strategic investment.
He shared how his father, the late Elias K. Bulut, Sr. (EKB), known as the “Hero and the Founder of Apayao,” championed a movement for Apayao’s separation from Kalinga. This change sparked vital infrastructure projects that reshaped the province’s landscape.
“The first thing that our leaders did was how to develop the areas that are thickly populated,” he noted, and emphasized their early decisions on roads and community access remain fundamental today.
He also talked about criticisms of his aid programs and defended his strategy to bring government assistance to underprivileged areas. “Sabi nila, mali ang sistema ko kasi puro ayuda…pero sa kanayunan, sa mga areas na depressed talaga, kailangan mo talaga silang bigyan para may magastos sila,” he said.
For far flung areas with limited economic opportunities, Bulut argued that aid is essential to improve living conditions.
The governor likewise addressed the need for non-violent means in dealing with insurgency. “Huwag lang basta patayan. Para sa akin, just give what is due to the people, that is already a success para sa fight natin sa insurgency.” He then praised the role of the military in securing peace and urged continued unity to keep insurgent threats at bay.
Reflecting on Apayao’s growth, Bulut affirmed that bringing services directly to the people has redefined Apayao from a once-neglected province to one where the government’s hand is felt in every barangay, making sure that no yApayao is left behind in the province’s ongoing pursuit of progress and stability. By Jess Christley Marquez
