MAGPET, Cotabato Province (PIA) – The Poverty Reduction, Livelihood, and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) of the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) joined forces with the provincial government of Cotabato and the local government unit (LGU) of Magpet to recently host an outreach program in Barangay Mahongkog here.
The event, dubbed “Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Caravan Re: Reformation towards Total Productivity,” aimed to address the needs of the residents while promoting greater participation in government-led initiatives for local development.
Ressie Alositain, a local resident, deeply appreciated the initiative and sent her gratitude to the national, provincial and local government for organizing such an important event.
“First, thank you to Governor Lala for conducting this kind of outreach. Also, thanks to all the government agencies who came here to help the people of Barangay Mahongkog,” Alositain expressed.
The activity provided essential goods and services to the community, highlighting the government’s ongoing commitment to uplift marginalized communities.
Among the services offered to the people were food packs, fresh milk for children, free haircuts, planting materials, and equipment to aid in disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM).
A key contributor in the program’s success was Assistant Secretary James A. Layug of the Department of Agriculture (DA), who also served as the chairperson of PRLEC-ELCAC.
By leading the initiative, Layug encouraged the community to continue supporting government programs that foster progress and stability.
He also highlighted the importance of long-term partnerships between the government and the community.
“In every place, in every barangay, we are looking for areas where we can establish communal farms. We’ve already implemented it in Koronadal, and we are aiming to bring this model to Mahongkog as well. With the help of the LGU and the community, we can make it happen,” Layug said.
The event also included a ceremonial tree planting activity, symbolizing the growing collaboration between the government and the local community.
The initiative is also expected to be extended to other communities, particularly those in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA) to ensure that more people will benefit from the government’s programs aimed at poverty reduction and livelihood enhancement. (CRM – PIA Region 12)
