The Department of Agriculture-Office of the Assistant Secretary for Inspectorate and Enforcement (DA-IE), together with the 8th Civil-Military Operations Battalion (8CMOBn), launched several agri-fishery and livelihood projects in Sta. Rita, Samar on November 10, 2023.
Led by DA Assistant Secretary for Inspectorate and Enforcement James Layug, the project launch aims to introduce a paradigm shift in dealing with insurgency problems and developing self-reliant, productive, resilient, and sustainable communities.
The new projects located within the 8CMOBn Headquarters include the PINAKBETter Garden or gulayan, Farm PORK Peace, KaPALAYapaan, MAISaganang Buhay, EGGsayting na Pangkabuhayan, and the Peace POND.
For the Peace POND project, the DA-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Region 8 (DA-BFAR) will extend technical assistance, free fingerlings, and start-up feeds. It will also assist the project beneficiaries in terms of project proposal preparations and capability development for sustainability and empowerment.
As part of the Poverty Reduction, Livelihood, and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) under the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), the livelihood projects align with the government programs for marginalized communities in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA).
The projects will serve as models for replication in other GIDA throughout the country to benefit not only former rebels (FRs) who returned to the fold of Philippine laws but all residents following the inclusivity principle and framework pursued by the DA as the lead PRLEC agency.
The office of the DA-IE and PRLEC developed programs on agricultural productivity that will ensure food security with consideration of environmental protection and sustainable development.
To better integrate DA intervention programs to transform GIDA barangays in Samar into agricultural hubs, Asec. Layug is set to meet with multi-agency heads, some DA RMC members chaired by RED Andrew Rodolfo T. Orais, RTD for Operations Larry U. Sultan, and other members of the local government units of Eastern Visayas.
The PRLEC is composed of multiple line agencies such as the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Labor and Employment, Development Bank of the Philippines, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and Department of Agrarian Reform. Pursuant to Executive Order No. 70, it aims to structure the implementation of a whole-of-a-nation approach to achieve inclusive and sustainable peace. ###
