“Ang importante diyan ay mahikayat natin yung mga iba pa nating kapatid na nasa kabilang dako, yung mga sinasabi nating NPA, para bumaba sila at sumama sa kani-kanilang mga barangay… at kapag nakita nila na talagang mayroong kaunlaran at development dito, ay siguradong bababa ang mga iyon para mamuhay nang tahimik at makasama nila ang kanilang mga pamilya.”

This was emphasized by Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rolando Joselito D. Bautista during the launching of the Convergence Areas for Peace and Development (CAPDev) in Cabanglasan, Bukidnon on June 28. CAPDev is an initiative of the Regional Development Council X (RDC X) and the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC), utilizing the ‘whole of nation’ approach to address the root causes of insurgencies, internal disturbances and tensions, and other armed conflicts, and threats.

The CAPDev aims to promote sustainable peace and development, and empower communities in the priority areas through peacebuilding and reconciliation, good governance and institution building, and socio-economic transformation.

The program espouses a focused, coordinated, and sustained delivery of basic services, and social development packages by the government in poor, conflict-affected, and geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas in the region, with the local government units (LGUs) as frontline service providers and main implementers, while RDC-X, RPOC-X, national government agencies (NGAs), civil society organizations (CSOs), and the private sector shall complement the LGUs’ efforts.

Envisioned to work within existing institutional and political arrangements, CAPDev shall be integrated in the entire development planning and implementation machinery and processes. It shall be implemented in the following clusters: Mt. Balatucan Range, Mt. Mangabon Odiongan Complex, Saldab and Kalabugao Plains, Pantaron and Umayam Complex, Salug Valley, Gamot-Dumasilag Complex, Mt. Kitanglad Range, Mt. Kalatungan Range, West Bukidnon Plateau, Iligan-CDO Tributaries, Mt. Malindang, Mt. Ampiro, Gadungan Mountain Range, Mt. Peurai Complex, Maigo-Tangcal-Magsaysay Tributaries, and Salvador-Nunungan Tributaries.

The CapDev launching was participated in by Indigenous Peoples of Bukidnon (Matigsalog, Manobo, and other tribes), local officials and residents of Cabanglasan, provincial officials, and representatives of national government agencies.

The event was highlighted by the signing of the Regional Peace and Order Council X’s resolution condemning Communist Party of the Philippines-New Peoples’ Army (CPP-NPA) atrocities in Northern Mindanao, led by Secretary Bautista and Datu Generoso Itong, representing the Maayamnon Tribe.

New homes for typhoon victims

The CAPDev launching was simultaneously held with the turnover of 50 core shelter units for families who lost their homes in the aftermath of Typhoon Chedeng which hit Bukidnon in May 2011. Some 200 foodpacks were also distributed to the beneficiaries.

Secretary Bautista and DSWD Field Office X Regional Director Mari-Flor A. Dollaga-Libang turned over the housing units to the beneficiaries.

DSWD has provided a total of P3.26 million for the 48 core shelter units, while the local government unit of Cabanglasan constructed the two additional core shelter units as their counterpart to the project.

“Ang partnership ng DSWD at lokal na pamahalaan ng Cabanglasan at ng Bukidnon ay patunay ng malasakit ng gobyerno para sa mga pamilyang nasalanta ng Bagyong Chedeng,” Director Dollaga-Libang said.

Director Dollaga-Libang also emphasized to the beneficiaries the importance of taking care of their new homes for their safety and security.

“Ngayon na may bago at kumportable kayong mga tahanan, sana ay alagaan po natin ang mga ito para magkaroon ng maayos at ligtas na tahanan ang ating mga pamilya,” she ended. -30-