‘Whole of nation approach’ against commies pushed

By Liza Agoot 

BAGUIO CITY – A mayor said the "whole of nation approach" to “End the local communist armed conflict (ELCAC) of President Rodrigo Duterte should be continued by the next administration. 

Sadanga, Mountain Province mayor Gabino Ganggangan said the ELCAC was “a comprehensive and effective way of addressing the insurgency problem of the country.     

As early as the first two years, you can already see the merits. Insurgency will not end in a few years but we are glad he started it.”
    Ganggangan bared this after President Duterte recently delivered his last State of the Nation Address (SONA) where he reported to the Filipinos the accomplishments of his administration, his priorities in the last 11 months in office, and the legacies he wants to leave for the next generations.
    Antonio Domes-ag, a retiree and former mayor of Penarrubia, Abra, said he appreciated the President's "mild-mannered way of delivering his SONA compared to his usual talk to the nation. He exerted effort not to say any invective. He was also polite in addressing Vice President (Leni Robredo).”
    As a retiree and a father, he said the accomplishments of the Duterte administration "are felt by the people especially under the Build, Build, Build program".
    On the anti-illegal drugs campaign, Domes-ag said those cited by the President are felt by the people, especially the rape victims of drug addicts.

“He (Duterte) was also correct when he said he was not able to rid corruption because there are still a lot of corrupt people in government,” he said.

Col. April Rose Ayangwa of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) said the administration's public safety programs "are all commendable and great".

"Being in the uniform service, we feel that we have a President who cares and provides focus on public safety concerns -- national security (internal and external) and for the well-being of the men and women in uniform by doubling our salary, modernization program, free legal assistance, and the retirement plan and benefits,” she said.

Salvador Ballena Jr., a member of the Bagalay Farmers Association in Tayum, Abra, said, “it is a big help particularly to us farmers those mentioned by President Duterte on the passage of the rice tariffication and free irrigation laws),” he said.

Barangay Chairperson George Esteras of Dagupan Centro, Tabuk City in Kalinga said the public is benefiting from projects under the administration like anti-illegal drugs and infrastructure projects. -- PNA