Despite being under the community quarantine, the Regional Task Force on Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) - SOCCKSARGEN Region conducted its 7th Monthly Meeting for CY 2020 on May 8, 2020, this time, through a video conference.
The meeting was presided over by Secretary Isidro S. Lapeña, Ph.D.,CSEE, Director-General TESDA, CORDS for Region XII, and RTF-ELCAC SOCCSKSARGEN Region Chairperson, with the attendance of DILG XII Regional Director Josephine Cabrido-Leysa, CESO III, NEDA XII Regional Director Teresita Socorro C. Ramos, DOLE XII Regional Director Sisinio B. Cano, among others, along with the representatives from other member agencies of RTF-ELCAC XII and representatives from LGUs in Cotabato Province, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, Sarangani and General Santos City.
Among the matters presented and discussed were the priority pilot barangays for the Programs/Projects of the RTF-ELCAC to initially take off while integrating efforts of the LGUs to address the ongoing COVID-19 situation. The provinces of Cotabato, Sarangani and South Cotabato the updates on this matter.
RD Josephine Cabrido-Leysa, CESO III, presented the pilot barangays of the 4 provinces in the Region. Upon the recommendation of Secretary Lapeňa, in support to the proposal of the Department of Agriculture, it was unanimously agreed upon by the group that selected pilot barangays in General Santos City should also be added to the list, which will have to be affirmed by LGU Gensan.
Meanwhile, RD Abrogar outlined in his report the Implementation Plans for the “New Normal” (situation after Enhanced Community Quarantine) per Line of Effort (LOE). One particular project being initiated by TESDA XII will cater to the needs of the returning OFWs or workers who were displaced when the community quarantine was implemented. Dir. Abrogar pointed to some livelihood trainings and programs which have been readied by the Agency.
DOH XII gave an update on the current situation of COVID-19 in the whole of Region XII, as shown in the chart below, while strongly encouraging the LGUs to follow the IATF protocols to maintain the present situation of no new recorded COVID 19 cases.
Click here to view table of COVID 19 cases as of May 7, 2020
Meanwhile, Secretary Lapena recommended that the Sectoral Unification, Capacity Building and Empowerment Cluster shall be led by DILG as per Joint Memorandum Circular No. 01 and was supported by NTF-ELCAC Representative. However, Regional Director Leysa requested if she can still discuss this matter with the Cluster since DILG was leading almost 6 LOEs. The Secretary granted such request and he would like to hear the update afterwards.
RD Leysa also informed the Body that the PAPs of pilot barangays will later be communicated to other Agencies, along with the Needs Assessment Survey Results.
These were the Resolutions approved and adopted by the Body:
- Resolution to adopt Project PEACE (Productive and Empowered Agripreneurs towards a Collective End) of TESDA XII under PRLEC Cluster, not only as a framework for ELCAC but also as an anticipatory and forward planning in economic response for COVID-19.
- Resolution adopting the Barangays Manobo of Magpet, Datalblao of Columbio, Ned of Lake Sebu, Upper Suyan of Malapatan, and Mabuhay of General Santos City as the Pilot Barangays for the Localization of EO 70.
- Adoption of MEDAFC-RDC XII Resolution No. 11 Series of 2020, For RTF-ELCAC XII to adopt and integrate the Community and Service-Oriented Policing (CSOP) System in the implementation of various government interventions for the Localization of EO 70 under Sectoral Unification, Capacity Building, Empowerment and Mobilization (SUCBEM).
