The Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict 6 (RTF-ELCAC-6) launched a new program dubbed “Akap Kapatid”.
Spearheaded by the Police Regional Office (PRO)-6, the 7-day activity is a uniquely designed intervention program that employs collaborative response among members of RTF-ELCAC.
The pilot program opened on February 16, 2021 in one of the resorts in Botong, Oton in the province of Iloilo.
82 participants, 64 of whom are from Tapaz, Capiz and 18 are from Calinog, Iloilo, joined this activity which focuses on human welfare and social well-being of surrenderers.
Part of the program on February 20 was a medical mission and service caravan was conducted participated by the PNP, AFP, NEDA, BFAR, LGUs of Calinog and Tapaz, DA, DSWD, DOH, DPWH, TESDA and Philippine Medical Association.
All 82 participants were able to benefit from the services provided by the said government agencies.
The PNP Health and Dental Service provided tooth extraction, dentures, prosthodontics, medical check-up, BP monitoring, Eye checkup and ECG to qualified or identified beneficiaries.
The participants were also given other services such as haircut, manicure and pedicure hired by PRO6. Services by other government agencies such as issuance of community tax certificates, giving of seeds and seedlings, distribution of educational materials and receiving of inquiries were also given.
The Culmination program held on February 21 and was attended by the RTF-ELCAC member-agencies – Police Major General Rhodel Sermonia, Director of PNP-DPCR; Police Brigadier General Ildebrandi Usana, PNP Spokesperson; Police Brigadier General Rolando F Miranda, PRO-6 Director; Brigadier General Marion Sison, Commander 301st Brigade; Director Evelyn Macapobre of DSWD-6; Prosecutor Flosemer Chris Gonzales, Chairman of the Legal Coordination Cluster, RTF-6; Director Gerry Tizon of TESDA-6; Mayor Francisco Calvo of Calinog LGU; and ASEC Anthony Gerard Gonzales of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Visayas.
During the culmination activity, the Prosecutor Flosemer Chris Gonzales turned over the judicial affidavits taken from the surrenderers.
Certificates of completion were also given to the participants for having completed the 7-day program.
The highlight of the culmination program is the distribution of mountain bikes, gift packs and cash amounting to five thousand pesos from the Philippine National Police.
Police Brigadier General Rolando F Miranda said that two more Akap Kapatid programs will be conducted based on the schedule or availability of the participating agencies.
“This is just the beginning. We will sustain the communication that we have with the communities in Tapaz and Calinog by conducting more police-community relations activities” Miranda said.
Jobelyn Giganto, a Barangay Official of Lahug, Tapaz, Capiz, expressed gratitude to the government for extending assistance and for letting them undergo the program.
“Ipabalo guid namon sa amon mga kabarangay kung ano kanami ang programa sang gobyerno” she said.
Nineta Caballero of Masaroy, Calinog, Iloilo, said her perception of the men in uniform changed after the program.
“Wala na kami nahadlok sa army kag pulis…gintratar nila kami sang maayo” she said.
Akap Kapatid has the following objectives: to change the beliefs of the surrenderers and increase their confidence in the government; disengagement from participating and supporting rebel activities; and to use the whole of the nation approach in addressing the root causes of local armed conflict by prioritizing the delivery of basic government services, social development package, and the construction of the much needed infrastructures.
The Akap Kapatid program includes lectures and activities where the participants will be able to know themselves, their community and the government’s plans, programs and projects especially in far-flung areas.
