NAPC, OPAP assure funds for RPA-ABB livelihood projects
The government has enough funds intended for the various livelihood projects of the Revolutionary Proletariat Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA-ABB) committed to them years back, according to Presidential Assistant for Panay and Guimaras Dr. Raul Banias.
Banias said "the figure needed to implement the project is huge, almost half a billion pesos, and there are competing demands from other regions."
He also said that the faction existing within the RPA-ABB organization is one of the factors that causes the delay of the fund release.
However, he was informed by the National Anti Poverty Commission (NAPC) and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPA) that there are available funds.
"My office is closely coordinating with different government agencies so that we can implement the projects. The main reason why there are conflicts right within our conflict areas is the discontentment from the community. As long as the root of the problem is still there, there will always be discontent," he said.
Banias believed that the root cause of the problem will be reduced once the requests of the people will be properly addressed.
Earlier, the RPA-ABB called on the government to fast track the release of their livelihood funds.
Most of the RPA-ABB communities in Western Visayas are confined to several municipalities of Aklan. (PNA)