Several local leaders in Bukidnon said their problems on insurgency, illegal drugs, and access to markets were eased due to current government-funded livelihood and infrastructure programs in far-flung areas.
In a Cabinet Report interview, Lantapan Mayor Ernie Devibar said all their 14 barangays have been declared “drug-cleared,” in line with their community-based rehabilitation program, and programs on moral recovery, livelihood, and sports.
Cabanglasan Mayor Renante Inocando said individuals affected by drugs in their area are now active in farming activities. He said they had a big illegal drugs problem, especially on marijuana.
Assistance to IPs, ex-rebels
Inocando said their livelihood assistance covers their indigenous people and rebel returnees, with the latter provided with housing assistance.
“Mga IPs nabigyan ng livelihood programs, mga ganoong klaseng approach na galing talaga sa grassroots. Iyon ang nagiging dahilan itong bayan natin unti-unting umaangat kahit maliit lang siya,” he said.
“Talagang nabigyan ng break ang mga tao noon na napag-iwanan ng gobyerno,” he added, while citing projects on road and bridge construction, and water system.
According to Impasugong Mayor Anthony Uy, a multipurpose building and satellite campus for IP students were also built under the current administration.
Uy said the “Balik-Loob” program gives opportunities to rebels to live a more peaceful life.
“Nag-undergo rin sila training sa carpentry, plumbing, masonry, maraming training na ibinigay ng ating national government,” he said, adding that ex-rebels and IPs were also given bamboo production training.
Machineries were also given to support rubber production in Impasugong which has almost 500 hectares of rubber plantation.
“Marami tayong IPs na nasa kabila noon. Ngayon nagbalik loob sila, nagbalik ang tiwala nila sa gobyerno ngayon dahil sa magandang programa ng pangulo,” he said.
He said those that were given cash assistance invested in variety stores and farms, as there are Lumads who own lands but do not have the capital to begin farming.
Meanwhile, Devibar said their town has become “generally peaceful” after former rebels surrendered and were given aid.
Infra projects down to local level
Uy said the farm-to-market roads under the Build, Build, Build program shortened travel time of farmers from far-flung areas to an hour and a half.
“Three to four days talaga noon na mag-stay doon sa daan [ang farmers], doon sila natutulog,” he said.
He said the establishment of a water system funded by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) provided sufficient clean water to IP communities.
Lantapan Mayor Devibar said road and bridge construction expedited the transport of farmers’ products to the market, especially with the Manupali River bridge that linked their area to Valencia City.
In Pangantucan, Mayor Miguel Silva said the road directly connecting the northern and southern portions of their town was built for the first time. Roads were also constructed going to Lake Napalit which boosts their tourism.
“Mayroong na-release na almost P47-M na construction o road concreting. Mayroon pang incoming na P41-M,” he said. (PTV)/AG – bny
