Message of the RDC XII Chairperson Mahatma Gandhi said, “Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilization.” This unity means inclusivity—no one gets left behind. In our region, we believe in inclusive growth. That is why we are mainstreaming Gender and Development (GAD) from planning, implementation, monitoring, and assessment of our development initiatives. Since March is women’s month and with female being one of the genders, the Regional Gender and Development Committee (RGADC) XII spearheaded various activities. This was supported by the different RDC XII members in their respective offices/organizations.
Hon. Ronnel C. Rivera City Mayor, General Santos City
The Regional Development Council also passed RDC Res. 27, s. of 2022, Adopting the GAD Seal Certification Parameters and the Composition of the Regional Assessment Committee. This was an offshoot of a resolution in 2021, adopting the Prime Regional Government Center as a GAD Zone. All agencies in the center are enjoined to meet a set of criteria, including utilization of at least 5% of the agency’s total budget for GAD, the institutionalization of the GAD Focal Point System, and the existence of breastfeeding and child-minding area in their respective offices. In the Regional Development Updates, we also ensure that there are articles on GAD in each quarterly issue. But starting this quarter, we specifically allotted a special section for GAD articles. Again, we aim for inclusive development. As a region, let us all work to make a SOCCKSARGEN that is more gender-sensitive and responsive.
Editorial Surrender Not In April last year, we may recall that a few senators pushed to defund the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTFELCAC). Their efforts did not go through. However, with the national elections this year, we face the question, “Will the new administration surrender the NTF-ELCAC or not?” Let us look at what we could lose if they choose the latter. Instead of military assault, EO 70’s approach addresses the different causes Teresita Socorro C. Ramos of insurgency, such as poverty and social injustice. And so, the clusters Regional Director, NEDA XII of the JRTF-ELCAC XII were mobilized. Among the many projects implemented were the IPEACE o Indigenous Peoples Empowered as Agripreneurs towards a Collective End, and Project TALA or TESDA Alay ay Liwanag at Asenso. In 2021, PhP1.24 Billion worth of projects were funded under the Local Government Support Fund-Support to Barangay Development Program (LGSF-SBDP). These projects are targeted to be implemented in 62 out of the 106 barangays in the Region which were identified by JRTF-ELCAC XII, and approved by the NTF-ELCAC as priority barangays. Many of these are geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs). Presently, a total of 120 of these projects are ongoing, 55 are undergoing the procurement process, while 20 have already been completed. Thousands of people from once communist-influenced barangays benefited from these projects. During the Summing Up session of the JRTF-ELCAC XII last March 3, it was reported that from 2018-to 2021, 550 members of the communist terrorist group in Region XII surrendered to the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police. They applied for the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program so they could be protected and given livelihood assistance. Moreover, they surrendered a total of 1,372 firearms. This is a testimony to the efficacy of the whole-of-nation approach to end local communist armed conflict. We have targeted the multi-faceted causes of insurgency and seen our efforts’ success. After all that we have done, with all the milestones we achieved, may our next leaders surrender not.
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REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT UPDATES | JANUARY - MARCH 2022
