ILOILO CITY (PIA) — Members of the Provincial Local Peace Engagement (LPE) cluster recently commended the southern town of Tubungan for its peace engagement initiatives to address insurgency and foster community development.
Tubungan Labor and Employment Officer Emelyn Tano, who represented Mayor Roquito Tacsagon, conveyed that accomplishments highlighting peace are achievable through the dedicated efforts among leaders, a committed local workforce, and the support of the community.
“Their efforts, combined with the effective implementation of the local peace engagement, have transformed Tubungan from a municipality known for its insurgency problems into a thriving, peaceful, and progressive municipality,” Tano said during the LPE cluster meeting.
The town’s transformation, according to Tano, has enhanced local security, revitalized the tourism industry, and improved the quality of life for Tubonganons.
Tano shared the town’s best practices in implementing peace engagement efforts such as Project ROKIT (Reintegration Oplan Kabuhayan to deserving Individuals in Tubungan), Project BINHI (Bringing Initiatives and Noble Services to Households and Individuals), Project TAMPAD (Tampad nga Serbisyo Alay sa masa paadto sa Asenso kag Dunang Pag-ugwad), and Oplan Bayanihan for Tubungan Indigenous Cultural Communities.
Likewise, she said that Tubungan got a P300 million support fund from the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).
Project ROKIT, meanwhile, was launched to provide a holistic approach to reintegrating rebel returnees into society through skills training, livelihood projects, medical services, and financial assistance.
According to Tano, this endeavor further aimed to rebuild former rebels’ trust in the government, inspire others still in the underground movement to return to mainstream society, and ensure sustainable livelihood, fostering responsible and productive members of the community.
Meanwhile, Project BINHI employed Hinun-anon, or multi-sectoral dialogue, and Serbisyo Caravan as key strategies to deliver essential services and foster open communication in insurgency-identified areas.
It has been recognized by the International Labor Organization (ILO) as part of the Skills for Prosperity Program, funded by the British Government in 2023.
In terms of convergence effort, Project TAMPAD harmonized the delivery of government services and programs related to poverty reduction and employment.
The beneficiaries of the project include families of former rebels and local militias, marginalized farmers, and Indigenous Peoples.
“Mayor Tacsagon, in partnership with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and other partners, believed that winning the peace and eliminating insurgency requires not only engaging the enemy on the battlefield but also winning the hearts and minds of the people,” Tano said.
Also, the town has issued a resolution declaring the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) as persona non-grata.
The declaration marked a strong message rejecting the presence and influence of these insurgent groups.
The municipality of Tubungan was a recipient of several recognitions from the AFP and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for its pivotal role in fostering peace, enhancing community development, and integrating socio-economic opportunities. (AAL/LMLE/PIA Iloilo)
