TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Topics discussed in the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist and Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) meeting held on March 3, 2023, at the Provincial Capital included 19 target barangays for consultation.
Of the 19 ELCAC barangays, the task force has already visited and consulted with barangays Mabaca, Poswoy, and Balantoy of Balbalan. Several community requests and project proposals, such as road openings, construction of water work systems, tribal centers, and child development centers, were communicated, resolved, and evaluated by responding agencies during the consultation.
The building of roads and bridges, according to DILG Provincial Director Manolo Ballug, is a top priority as it can create opportunities for social, health, and educational services because the program’s ultimate goal is to integrate “development” in addition to focusing on the eradication of insurgency in the province.
Therefore, it is crucial to take into account the community’s projects and suggestions, “something must be done about the request of the people,” he added.
A consultation is slated on March 2023 for barangays Guina-ang and Gawaan with the participation of the different medical and dental practitioners and other health providers and the assistance of the uniformed personnel in providing free circumcision and haircut.
TESDA, DOLE, NIA, DOST, DTI, NFA Cagayan Branch, PIA, DPWH, SWAD, NCIP, as well as SDS KALINGA and Kalinga State University; some uniformed officials from the PNP, AFP, BJMP, and BFP; and various concerned offices and agencies that are also members of the ELCAC provincial task force were present during the meeting. By Rio Dongcayan Bassong
