FIGHTING against criminality and insurgency to obtain a peaceful and orderly Bohol has the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) setting aside a war-chest of P419,008,047 for Bohol’s 2023 peace and order programs.
Convened at the Ceremonial Hall of the new Provincial Capitol, the PPOC, which was presided by Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado and attended by Vice Governor Victor Dionisio Balite, along with its 45 member agencies and sectoral representatives, identified the 55 peace and order projects and programs that would bring the government to the communities.
We do not just bring the government closer to the people, we have to bring the government to the people, reiterated omeo Teruel, Executive Assistant for Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC), making sure the rhetoric of overnment and the community gest easily understood.
Teruel, who braved Bohol rebel infested barangays when he was tasked by then governor Erico Boyles Aumentado to bring poverty alleviation to the communities and engage the people into talking with the government had the rebels losing their grip on the people’s fear.
And of the 55 programs, projects and activities which the PPOC funds for 2023, 22 of these or a simple majority would be funds for community intervention especially in fighting off poverty and joblessness in the far communities, one of the roots of criminalities and insurrection.
For this, the PPOC has allocated over P200 million for projects relating to agriculture and its development while perking up local food production and starting enterprise development leading to jobs.
The province has tasked the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist and the Provincial Veterinarian to implement programs on organic agriculture development, its acquisition of equipment, rice program, acquisition and distribution of rice hybrid seeds, fertilizer assistance to inbred rice farmers, rice buyback program, corn program, acquisition of hybrid yellow corn seeds, procurement of inorganic fertilizer, distribution of agricultural materials for corn farms.
Funds also include high value commercial crops production, acquisition and distribution of farm equipment, fisheries resource management and development program and fisheries modernization and support services.
For the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian, funds for peace and order go to the Barangay Livestock Aides. Livestock and poultry livelihood and enterprise development program, livestock and poultry production support program, livestock disease prevention control and preparedness programs.
Training its eyes on the youth and the employable sector, the PPOC parted out P33 million for the Center for Drug Education and counseling, Sports Development and fitness program for the youth, Boholympic program, Youth Development programs, Drug Testing program, Rehabilitation and Improvement of drug testing and laboratory facilities, Bohol Crisis and Intervention Center and the Bohol Youth Home.
For its social assistance program to bring about peace and development, the PPOC has allocated funds for the enhanced comprehensive local integration program for former rebels, assistance to indigents in crisis situations, support to the national task force on ELCAC, livelihood assistance program, civil society organization assistance programs, trainings for cooperatives, support for LGU waterworks programs, support for LGU infrastructure program, support for rural electrification program, Gamot sa Barangay, Legal Assistance Program and its support for LGU roads development.
These funds are coursed through the Provincial Health Office, Office of the Social Welfare and Development, Provincial Legal Office, and the Office of the Governor.
The Office of the Governor also implements funds from the PPOC programs for counterpart funding for the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for its barangay based peace resolution program, PPOC counterparts, assistance to individuals in crisis, Abante Caravan, assistance to regional and municipal peace and order and drug abuse councils, Balik Bohol Medical missions, stakeholder linkages funds, support to mandated task forces, government and civil society collaboration funds, capacity development for barangay officials, and support to local infrastructure priorities.
As to the environment priorities, the PPOC set aside funds for coastal and marine resource management programs, operation of the mineral resources office and its forest resource management program. (PIA-7/Bohol)
