Iloilo, Negros Occidental top in Kalahi-Kalayaan priority initiative
The provinces of Iloilo and Negros Occidental are placed in the priority list of the national government in its Kapit-bisig Laban sa Kahirapan: Kalayaan (Kalahi: Kalayaan) initiative in the last quarter of this year. The national government has allocated some P200 million worth of 49 development projects in 49 Western Visayas barangays.
Of the 49 development projects, 17 projects will be implemented in the provinces of Iloilo and Negros Occidental; 10 in Aklan and five in Antique. The impact areas have been identified by the Revolutionary Proletariat Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA-ABB), said Presidential Assistant for Western Visayas Raul Banias.
The RPA-ABB is the splinter group of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New Peoples Army (CPP-NPA). They took charge in identifying the communities where development project is a must for the residents especially in RPA-ABB controlled areas. They are at odds with the mainstream NPA, the armed wing of the CPP.
The projects that will be implemented in impact areas range from farm-to-market roads, health centers, water system and schools. The projects would be implemented in coordination with the Engineering Brigade of the Philippine Army (PA). Each barangay is entitled to around P4 - 4.5 million worth of projects.
The some P200 million allocation for the development projects in the region is only portion of the government's peace package offered to the RPA-ABB. There were already several releases for the RPA-ABB identified areas.
Banias, who is also the regional coordinator of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP), said projects under the Kalahi initiative are the programs in support of the peace agreement between the national government and the RPA-ABB. The national government has been complying with its commitment since the RPA-ABB forged an agreement with the government.
The regional OPAPP is looking forward for the launching of the project in the town of Lambunao next month with OPAPP head Hermogenes Esperon and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for the RPA-ABB, said Banias.
The development projects in the RPA-ABB identified areas contributed much in the peace building capabilities between the government and the rebel groups. Number of rebel infested areas was neutralized with the implementation of the projects in far-flung barangays.
It is also reduced the friction and armed hostilities between the government and the RPA-ABB. Though, the project implementors also acknowledged the setback in the implementation with the intervention of other rebel faction that refused to accept the government's offer for development instead of arm struggle.