DUTERTE LEGACY. The Duterte Legacy Caravan that aims to inform the public of the accomplishments of the Duterte administration was launched in La Trinidad on Thursday (Sept. 30, 2021). During the event, PCOO Assistant Secretary JV Arcena enumerated various programs and projects carried out in the Cordillera region, such as those that address peace and order problems, build infrastructure, and ensure food security and livelihood. (Screenshot of the event)
BAGUIO CITY – The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) on Thursday launched the “Barangayanihan Caravan” that aims to inform the public of the accomplishments of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.
The caravan aims to inform the public about the programs, policies, efforts, and accomplishments of the Duterte administration to bring about real change in the lives of the Filipinos in line with the “Tapang at Malasakit” agenda and the embodiment of the whole-of-nation approach, PCOO Assistant Secretary JV Arcena said in a virtual message during the launch that was held at the Police Regional Office - Cordillera in Camp Dangwa, La Trinidad.
The administration has promised to bring progress by addressing peace and order issues, putting up infrastructure through the “Build, Build, Build” program, and ensuring food security and livelihood, he said, adding that a big part of these has been done in the five years of the administration and is continuously being done to benefit the people.
Arcena enumerated major accomplishments of the administration in the Cordillera, such as the construction or repair of 1,194 km. of roads and 243 bridges, and the construction of 2,300 classrooms and repair of 2,701 classrooms.
The Baguio-La Trinidad-Itogon-Sablan-Tuba and Tublay outer-ring circumferential project that aims to develop areas outside the city is 50-percent complete.
The construction of several roads that link the region to neighboring regions have either been completed or are nearly completed, cutting the travel time to enable residents to avail of services and farmers to gain greater access to markets to sell their produce.
Under the Duterte administration, irrigation was made free, benefiting 113,764 farmers in the region.
About 1,008 hectares of irrigated land have also been distributed to farmers.
Arcena also mentioned the strengthening of the 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program) under the administration that led to the “graduation” of 1,083 families in the region who have succeeded in improving their living conditions.
He noted that the six “Malasakit Centers” in Baguio, Benguet, Mountain Province, and Apayao have assisted 98,821 patients whose relatives did not have to endure long queues just to avail of aid from various offices.
“The Malasakit Center helps patients have a zero billing,” he said.
The centers were funded by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, PhilHealth, and other providers.
Arcena further said efforts to eliminate insurgency in the region have led to the surrender of more than 400 fighters of the New People’s Army (NPA), more than 200 of whom have availed of benefits under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) that extends assistance to former rebels.
The administration’s accomplishments in its anti-illegal drugs drive include the surrender and rehabilitation of 10,699 drug users and sellers.
“Mahalaga po sa ating Pangulo ang bawat Pilipino kaya importante na sila ay maging safe sa bawat pagkakataon na naglalakad sa kalye (All Filipinos matter to the President, thus their safety while walking down the street must be guaranteed),” he said.
Covid response
With regards to the response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, Arcena belied claims that the government is not doing anything to address the problem.
He said in the Cordillera region, nine Covid-19 facilities have been established and more than 400,000 residents have been vaccinated.
“This makes the Cordillera second among all the regions in the country with the most number of vaccinated individuals at 27 percent of the target,” he added.
Arcena also mentioned the PHP200 million fund from the Office of the President to allow Baguio City to commence the realization of its “Smart City” project that will achieve digital governance for more effective services to the residents.
“We are part of this legacy. We should be happy we all contributed to the Duterte legacy. It is from the whole-of-nation approach and help from all sectors of the community,” he said.
In a recorded video message during the launch, PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar said, “We celebrate the goals we have achieved as a nation, with President Duterte leading us."
"The PCOO continuously endeavors to bring the right information to the Filipinos and the caravan is (an) added feature to inform the Filipinos of what the current administration (has achieved) as it reaches the tail end,” Andanar said.
Meanwhile, Agriculture Secretary William Dar, also the Cabinet Officer for Regional Development (CORD) for the Cordillera, said in another recorded message that the region has reduced poverty from 22.7 percent in 2016 to 12 percent in 2019, performing much better compared to the national rate.
Dar said the goal is to achieve an 11 percent Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) in 2021 to make the region rebound from the effects of the pandemic on the economy.
He noted that with infrastructure in place, livelihood and agriculture programs being provided, and peace and order efforts continuously being pursued, the chances of the region to achieve its economic leap goal are attainable. (PNA)
