PRESIDENTIAL Communications Operations on Secretary Martin Andanar on Monday commended the continued peace efforts undertaken in Region 10,as it lays down various programs, projects, activities (PPAs) to be implemented by member-agencies.

Andanar said the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC)-10 will pursue its peace and development efforts in northern Mindanao.

Andanar over Northern Mindanao Regional Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa committee meeting emphasized the importance of working together and moving forward amid COVID-19 pandemic.

National Economic Development Authority (NEDA)-10 Regional Director Myla Faye Aurora B. Cariño presented the BP2 Action Plan that ensures a balanced regional development.

Cariño explained the equitable distribution of wealth, resources and opportunities through policies and programs that would boost countryside development and inclusive growth.

Provide adequate social services and promote full employment as well as industrialization and improved quality of life in rural areas, according to Cariño.

In Region 10, the pilot area for BP2 is Kauswagan town in Lanao del Norte.

Meanwhile, the local government units with proposed resettlement sites for BP2 include Cagayan de Oro City with six hectares, Gingoog City 20 hectares, El Salvador City six hectares Iligan City with 41 hectares with proposed Abaca plantation vegetable farm, Tangub City and Lanao del Norte.

Andanar together with Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)-10 Regional Director Arnel Agabe turned-over to five former rebels from Misamis Oriental firearms renumeration amounting to P180,000 and P90,000 and livelihood assistance worth P50,000 under the government's Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP.

"DILG has so far distributed more than P12 million for ECLIP to more than 200 former rebels in the region," Agabe said.

Agabe even said many lives had already been changed due to the programs initiated by the government particularly the former rebels. 

Meanwhile, Army's 4th Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Andres Centino shared President Rodrigo Roa Duterte's Executive Order 70 (EO 70).

There is now focused identification of areas such as the geographically isolated, disadvantaged and conflict-affected or conflict vulnerable areas, according to Centino.

"Through these, to achieve sustainable peace and inclusive development as well as conflict-resilient communities," Centino said.

He said this can only be done by effectively addressing peace building needs, adopting intuitional efficiency and accountability as well as improving, developing  and protecting conflict-affected areas. (Recthie Tolinero/JMOR/PIA10)