ENSURING SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS: TESDA Conducts Intervention Program in Lakewood

To ensure sustainable solutions, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority – Region 9 (TESDA-IX) and Lakewood Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (MTF-ELCAC) together with various government agencies and the Philippine Army’s 53rd Infantry “Matapat” Battalion (53IB) teamed up for Sustainable Development Intervention Program (SDIP) in Barangay Gasa, Lakewood, Zamboanga del Sur on October 27-28, 2021.

The SDIP was spearheaded by TESDA as the chair of Poverty Reduction, Livelihood, and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) of ELCAC, pursuant to PRLEC’s mission and intent of developing self-reliant, resilient, productive, and sustainable communities.

The 53IB discussed peace and security initiatives updates. “The 53IB shall continue its efforts to sustain the peace and security in the community in coordination with PNPs and other government agencies,” 53IB’s Executive Officer Cpt. Bahnarin Camsa said.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) discussed Anti-Drug Abuse efforts, RA 7262, and RA 7610 updates.

The event was attended by Lakewood mayor and MTF-ELCAC chair Hon. Domingo Mirrar, 53IB’s Executive Officer Cpt. Bahnarin Camsa, PNP ZDS Provincial Director PCol Roel Lami-ing, and other local agencies.

Barangay Gasa is a previous conflict-affected barangay and was declared “clear” from the Communist-Terrorist Group (CTG) influence through the Army’s Community Support Program (CSP) in April 2019.

It will receive 20M as part of the BDP, the flagship program of ELCAC which was conceptualized to finally address insurgency by bringing sustainable solutions and basic services to communities in need.