IN PHOTO (from left to right): TESDA-Surigao del Sur Provincial Director Rey M. Cueva, DA-Tagbina RES ACC III Gemma Asufre, ATI-RTC 13 PASS OIC Chief Engr. Matt Andrew G. Baquiano, ATI-RTC 13 Center Director Samuel L. Calonzo during the meeting of PRLEC of NTF-ELCAC in Marihatag, Surigao del Sur on June 16, 2020.
MARIHATAG, Surigao del Sur - Being one with the government’s effort to further promote sustainable and inclusive peace, ATI-RTC 13 Center Director Samuel L. Calonzo joined the provincial Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) in crafting extension interventions to conflict-affected areas in Surigao del Sur.
The PRLEC headed by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is one of the clusters of NTF-ELCAC to implement Executive Order No. 70 or the “Whole-of-Nation Approach” of addressing the country’s insurgency problem. It aims to build a self-reliant, resilient and sustainable community through the provision of harmonized and responsive development programs.
Among these programs is the conduct of community-based skills training based on technologies generated through on-station researches on crops, livestock, poultry of the DA-Tagbina Research and Experiment Station (RES). This will be implemented in six municipalities within the province specifically for the Indigenous People and Rebel returnees as participants.
CD Calonzo also proposed for the conduct of Trainers’ Training for Local Extension Workers to ensure the sustainability of the projects and programs in these municipalities. He also emphasized the need to develop a demonstration area to serve as a local show window for appropriate technologies and best practices that are worthy of emulation.
The meeting was held at the Municipal Hall of Marihatag last June 16, 2020. It was attended by Marihatag Mayor Justin Marc L. Pelenio, Cantilan Mayor Maria Carla Lopez-Pichay, CD Calonzo and Engr. Matt Andrew G. Baquiano of ATI, TESDA-Surigao del Sur Provincial Director Rey M. Cueva, and Tagbina RES Agricultural Center Chief III Gemma Asufre.
It was agreed to have another meeting before the end of June with key personnel from Provincial and Local Government Unit, TESDA, Armed Forces and the Philippine National Police to further set long-term agricultural development to conflict-affected communities. (with the report from MAGBaquiano)