LAGAWE, IFUGAO– Tinoc and Asipulo.
And now after bloody skirmishes between military troops and New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in recent past in these two poverty-stricken towns, the Ifugao provincial government again is confronted with the question of what, if anything, officials should really do to confront the scourge of the armed violence afflicting this part of the province.
While these armed combatants continue to figure in encounters in many other parts of the country and government and National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) peace panel negotiators reportedly continue to engage in backdoor talks, highly-placed provincial government officials seek new ways to do their share in curbing the problems related to the insurgency- while some officers of national and provincial government agencies looked elsewhere for answers, focusing on traditional insignificant dole-out projects and public relations stunts.
With the people still reeling from the deleterious effects of the collapsed economy brought about by the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, and the warring armed groups intractably divided on issues at the peace table, the odds appeared stacked in favor of gridlock. But concerned folks and independent observers said this time can and should be different.
This means a need to really find out an innovative way of addressing the roots of the insurgency in Tinoc as well as Asipulo, both upland farming towns in the first geographical district of Ifugao. As many folks felt and understood the urgency of tackling head on the causes of the armed conflict. For short, a bold solution to a long-pressing problem easily attributed to poverty and inequality.
People are poor. People are hungry. People are angry. People are jobless and they’re upset. They should be.
Tinoc is a fourth-class municipality with a land area of 149.48 square kilometers. It has 12 barangays and a population of about 12,500. There are around 8,900 registered voters.
Now, here comes another initiative billed as Poverty Reduction Livelihood and Employment Cluster or PRLEC. The project was launched recently at the Atrium of the provincial capitol building in Lagawe. Is this the solution to the problem?
Attendees from the public sector once more resorted to a tarpaulin signing ceremony as a manifestation of their commitment to the project. A “photo-ops” followed that portion. The government sector has proven unable to end the costly and bloody civil strife with such antics, despite the stature and prominence of the signatories, in large part because these are merely cosmetic acts by those who walk in the corridors of power. These signing rites are primarily designed to carefully project positive impression to the people rather than make an impact on their miserable lives.
There are people who working so hard not to fail Tinoc folks. In a way, they owe them a quality response in such a difficult situation.
Thanks to Governor Jerry Dalipog, and somehow town folks felt improved access to government services. In his 20-minute speech, Dalipog also promised to provide additional support to the municipal government so it can improve the delivery of basic services to the people.
“It is my fervent hope that in the coming years Tinoc will continue to grow and break new ground in its quest for progress,” Dalipog said.
He vowed to work with local governments and the private sector in providing vital services, especially in distant villages.
Governor Dalipog is widely recognized for looking after the interests and welfare of the people. He is also a foremost champion for rural development.
On the other hand, Tinoc Mayor Samson Benito in a brief acceptance message pledged to double his efforts in invigorating the town’s economy.
“With the PRLEC project, we will be able to focus the delivery of essential services to our constituents, most especially in far-flung barangays, more effectively and efficiently,” Benito told the ZigZag Weekly. “The project is crucial in attaining poverty reduction,” he added.
What would happen if Mayor Benito isn’t at the helm of power? Would the municipal government be totally lost not knowing what is going on at the hinterlands or would it feel a lot more insecure? Fortunately, Mayor Benito possesses the sterling qualities of integrity, conviction, courage and most of all, love of God and country.
How do we really eliminate the poverty problem?
By now, Vice Governor Glenn Prudenciano is actively contributing to the cause of licking the poverty problem. This partnership will give assurance to the wellbeing of the marginalized sector in Tinoc.
“Indeed, actively consulting and engaging various sectors in the town is a validation of a creative effort in not just upgrading the living conditions of our people, but also an acknowledgement of the need to bring the government closer to the people,” Vice Governor Prudenciano also told the ZigZag Weekly.
Earlier, for this pronouncement sectoral leaders here commended Vice Governor Prudenciano for his tireless and selfless dedication to sustainability and good governance. He regularly visits Tinoc in order to feel the sentiments of the people.
Two years into the local and national elections in 2022, both Governor Dalipog and Vice Governor Prudenciano have high satisfaction ratings. Many are relatively pleased with their actions.
These are but a few points of interest of the three-hour activity. Hence, much is expected of all stakeholders to get their act together and work in a collaborative manner in order that government processes be singularly implemented to actualize and transform into reality the intentions and spirit of the PRLEC. For short, government agencies should finally coordinate their actions to ensure the smooth implementation of the PRLEC blueprint. The outmost concern is heightened collaboration to fast-track delivery of fundamental services to the people. For instance, during the initial weeks of the COVID-19 crisis, the Department of Health, Department of Agriculture, Department of Trade and Industry and Department of Interior and Local Government were at odds in interpreting and enforcing a number of regulations relative to economic concerns. The wonderful thing is that, if these agencies finally work on the same page, everyone is a winner. Thanks, but no thanks the people suffered due to confusion and their ineptness. For the PRLEC’s success, on one hand, and realization of the goal of undercutting poverty incidence in the countryside, on the other, there is a pressing need to make it a point to seek the silver linings in what could have been a tiring and dull activity. The PRLEC’s launching event is not just another episode of prolonged speeches and lectures and it is uneventful for it even failed to allot five minutes for a Q and A (question and answer) segment.
Also, Ifugao DTI director Valentin Baguidudol, DOLE Ifugao senior local employment officer Isabelita Codamon, PAENRO head Domingo Mariano, Landbank Lagawe branch manager Joel Cabrera and Tesda supervising specialist Melita Pinic attended the program.
Ifugao Tesda (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) director Diosdado Escalante has warned that military action alone is not the solution to the insurgency problem. “There is a need to win the hearts and minds of the people,” he argued.
Tesda led the launch of the PRLEC project. It could lead to the improvement of lives of villagers of Binablagan, Danggo, Gumhang, Luhong, Tukucan and Wangwang. It appears that proponents are pushing for a mushroom project that would have an impact on food security and poverty alleviation.
Pursuit of the dream of ending the rebellion might well have been far less possible had officials truly understand the underpinnings of the conflict. The roots of the insurgency are easily traced on peasantry dissatisfaction. The conflict is the longest running insurgency in the world. Clashes between government forces and the NPA have developed into a humanitarian crisis. Scores of families displaced families generally stay for a long time at evacuation centers. Some assessments are that things are getting better now, not worse. A military officer said that “Ifugao has been cleared of the insurgency problem.” Yet, strangely on March 20 Joseph Calobso was gunned down by the NPA in Tinoc. Poverty continue to wreak havoc not just in Tinoc and Asipulo (where PRLEC is next focused), but also in the other nine towns as well. Across the province, poverty incidence is still high.
President Duterte wants to significantly curb the poverty problem. He declared that growth will be more inclusive, as manifested by a lower poverty incidence in rural areas- from 30 percent in 2015 to 20 percent in 2022- or the year he leaves office.
So far, the Ifugao DTI Office has distributed livelihood kits to 29 sari-sari store owners in Tinoc. None for the so-called “rebel returnees.” Does this means someone forgot the existence of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC)? Department Order 20-11 of the DTI clearly mentioned the NTF-ELCAC. Even President Duterte promised to give “houses” to the rebels if they surrender and return to the fold of the law. It may not surprise one how frustrating it can be to receive crumbs rather than farm lands or decent jobs. The disenchantment is real.
Governors have worked for decades on strategies to take care of the needs of Tinoc folks, so far with little effect. They got reminders that such strategies were unpractical and unsustainable. People realized it wouldn’t work- the strategy must be attuned to the needs of the widest majority. Their hardships increased over time. Governor Dalipog can and makes the difference, if he changes course and seek out-of-the-box strategies anchored on love for the common good, if he dares to be different.
The PRLEC is supposedly designed in line with the national governments push for inclusive growth. Clearly, improving the conditions of the Tinoc folks deserves more attention than anything else. To free the town from the long drawn underdevelopment and conflict that had hampered its growth and development should then be highly prioritized. Better living conditions of these folks is in fact the goal of the Chief Executive- and the tarpaulin signatories better take note. **By Anthony A. Araos
