GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- The provincial government in South Cotabato is set to launch a new anti-poverty convergence program that will assist the development of impoverished communities in parts of the province.
South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes said Thursday preparations are underway for the rollout of the program by next month, in partnership with various national government agencies and non-government organizations (NGOs).
Dubbed as “Convergence Program for Poverty Reduction of South Cotabato,” she said the initiative aims to empower and transform poor communities into productive areas through the provision of basic services and development projects.
She said at least 20 government agencies and NGOs have initially pledged to support the program, which would be launched on Sept. 15 at its pilot site at sitio Traanlatang, Barangay Kematu in Tboli town.
“They agreed to pool their resources to address the basic unmet needs of residents and develop the area,” the governor said.
Fuentes said the participating entities initially pledged to pour in a combined P1 million for the implementation of convergence programs and projects in the area in the next three years.
She said these included the improvement of the sitio’s roads; implementation of capability and capacity training for livelihood, health, financial literacy and community empowerment; provision of arm chairs and other construction materials for its school; conduct of feeding programs; and, installation of additional sanitary toilets.
The Oblates of Notre Dame-Hesed Foundation Inc. specifically committed to assist in the empowerment of women and children as well as in capacity development for sitio governance and family decision-making, while Maguindanao Development Foundation, Inc. eyes to assist community empowerment through peace building.
The Rotary Club of Marbel, Mahintana Foundation Inc., and the South Cotabato Foundation Inc. will help in the conduct of feeding programs and trainings on community-led total sanitation, financial literacy and adoption of “Smart” agriculture practices.
RD Foundation will provide 50 armchairs with six sets of kiddie tables and chairs for the sitio’s Day Care Center, while the South Cotabato Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation will assist in the construction of sanitary toilets with septic tanks, provide additional arm chairs and assist in the opening of a community store.
A group of technical-vocational schools will provide skills training on food processing, electrical installation and welding for interested residents of sitio Traanlateng, and mining firm Tribal Mining Corp. will support the Alternative Learning System program, the construction of school buildings and provision of arm chairs.
T’boli town’s Minahang Bayan Association will assist in the energization of households in the area.
For government agencies, the Department of Public Works and Highways said they will start the concreting of a road network going to Hidak Falls that will pass through Sitio Traanlatang and three other sitios of Barangay Kematu.
The Department of Education Division Office will assist the processing of the land title for the sitio’s school and support its five newly-hired teachers.
For the environment and human security component, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Provincial Environment Management Office will pursue roadside greening and riparian development through the cash-for-work scheme.
The Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Trade and Industry will provide entrepreneurial training and assist a local coffee production venture.
Fuentes said the local government is overwhelmed with the support committed by their development partners for the initiative.
“We’re always ready to receive your help through the means and processes that you want,” she said.
To facilitate the proper implementation of the program, the provincial government has designated a convergence officer who will handle the processing of the grants and aids.
It will also establish a monitoring body to ensure that the program will be sustained. (PNA)
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