MISAMIS ORIENTAL – As part of the contribution of the Office to address the problem of local communist conflict, the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center X (ATI – RTC X) links-up with other government agencies who are part of the Task Force – End Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF – ELCAC).
ELCAC was created through Executive Order 70, series of 2018 (EO 70, s. 2018). The Task Force - ELCAC ensures the efficient and effective implementation of the Whole-of-Nation approach addressing the root cause of insurgencies, internal disturbances and tensions, and other armed conflicts and threats by prioritizing and harmonizing the delivery of basic services and social development packages by the government, facilitating societal inclusivity, and ensuring active participation of all sectors of the society in the pursuit of the country’s peace agenda.

ELCAC has twelve clusters, and ATI joins in the Poverty Reduction, Livelihood, and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) with the recently conducted two (2) activities in the Province of Misamis Oriental. First activity was conducted last January 8, 2021 with the help of the 58th Infantry Battalion (Dimalulupig) headed by Lt. Col. Ricky L. Canatoy, Local Government Unit (LGU) of Medina, Misamis Oriental headed by Mayor Donato N. Chan, and Greenminds Incorporated with their President Reynaldo Gil G. Lomarda. Together with ATI – RTC X, they conducted a site inspection and training needs assessment at Sitio Kabol-kabol, Barangay San Isidro, Medina, Misamis Oriental. The area is only seven (7) kilometers away from the national highway but the road going to the community is rough, making it very difficult and challenging in terms of accessibility.

The second activity was conducted in Sitio Kalha-an, Minalwang, Claveria, Misamis Oriental last January 19, 2021, by a team spearheaded by the 58th IB, and LGU of Claveria, Misamis Oriental headed by Mayor Meraluna Salvaleon-Abrogar. The team conducted interviews, and rural appraisal to assess the needs of the community. Sitio Kalhaan has become a ghost town due to fear of the people to the armed rebels who lurks in the area. They fled to the neighboring sitios, but they want to return to Sitio Kalhaan and continue their livelihood activities there. It has thirty-three (33) households and a four (4) hour ride from Claveria, which can only be accessed via a road in Gingoog City. The team were welcomed by the members of the community headed by Minalwang Barangay Captain Rix S. Mangsangcayan. Other members of the team include the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10), Technical Education and Skills Development Administration – 10 ( TESDA – 10), Department of Trade and Industry – 10 (DTI – 10), University of Science and Technology in Southern Philippines (USTP) Claveria Campus, Municipal Social Welfare and Development (MSWD) of Claveria, and the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and ATI-RTC X, the team proceeded to Sitio Kalhaan, in Barangay Minalwang, Claveria, Misamis Oriental.

The people living in Sitios Kabol-kabol and Kalhaan are members of the Indigenous Communities. Sitio Kabol-kabol is the adopted community for development of ATI-RTC X, while Sitio Kalhaan is the adopted community for the Regional Management Committee in Agriculture headed by Director Carlene C. Collado of DA-RFO 10.
The activities are just the beginning of more social and skills development training and programs that will conducted in the areas. The team will continue to strongly work with these communities with the hope of achieving the objectives of total peace, development and progress. (With reports from Jisa T. Dulay and Teodosia D. Jaraba)