TESDA Isabela head: Pour projs, services in armed conflict areas

PEACE FUNDS -- Dr. Demetrio Anduyan Jr, director of TESDA Isabela, presides meeting urging representatives of government agencies to fuse resources in implementing development projects in isolated areas and those affected by armed conflicts.

By Merlito G. Edale

CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela - The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority- Isabela, being the co-chair of the Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment cluster of the NTF-ELCAC, urged all government agencies under the cluster to pour programs, projects and services in a former New People’s Army -controlled village in San Mariano town and other geographically isolated and areas affected by armed conflicts in the province.

     The call was made by TESDA Isabela head Dr. Demetrio Anduyan Jr, who presided the PRLEC meeting held at the TESDA - ISAT in this city.
    Anduyan said barangay Dibuluan was once the lair of the NPA and now that the area is cleared from insurgency, programs, projects and services must be rendered so people in the area will benefit from it.

    He said TESDA allocated P1.3 million for its “Project Pagsuibol” in partnership with other government agencies for skills and livelihood training.

    The project fuses resources of government agencies in implementing development projects in geographically isolated and areas affected by armed conflicts and hopes to alleviate poverty in the countryside in order to improve the quality of life of the people.    

    Meanwhile, the 95th Infantry Battalion led by Lt. Col. Gladius Calilan under the 5th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, said security in the area was in place as troops were deployed in three strategic locations. PIA 2-Isabela