DAVAO ORIENTAL – The Provincial Government here will work hand-in-hand with national line agencies to implement President Rodrigo Duterte’s “Whole-of-Nation” approach in fighting insurgency and poverty at the grassroots level.

During the coordination meeting on Tuesday, February 26, a cluster has been created that is set to identify and asses the needs and problems in the hinterland village of Taocanga in Manay town where the implementation of “Whole-of-Nation” approach will be piloted next month. The said cluster forms part of the Provincial Task Force— which is still being drafted, that will oversee the implementation of the said approach.

In coordination with the barangay officials, needs and problems are set to be identified. In support to the Governor’s flagship program Nagkakaisang Lingkod-Bayan ng Davao Oriental Barangay Outreach Caravan (NLD-BOC), the Whole-of-Nation Approach serves as the sustainability mechanism to ensure the long-term impact of all interventions.    

The upcoming implementation of the ‘Whole-of-Nation’ approach was anchored to the Executive Order (EO) 70, which the President signed last December 4, 2018. According to the said executive order, the whole-of-nation approach addresses the root causes of insurgencies, internal disturbances and tensions, and other armed conflicts and threats by prioritizing and harmonizing the delivery of basic services and social development packages in areas that need them the most. These will be included in the National Peace Framework, the order said.

The Governor’s Chief-of-Staff Ednar Dayanghirang, who presided the coordination meeting, said that the province will coordinate with the local and national government including the military and the police to give further services to the community.

“Remote and marginalized areas are the forefront target of the program. It needs to be prioritized because they need services more than of those in accessible areas. As a matter of fact, the Governor piloted his first NLD caravan in Barangay Taocanga and will also be the first barangay to receive services from the ‘Whole-of-nation’ approach in the entire Province,” he said.

He added that the governor’s flagship program Nagkakaisang Lingkod-Bayan ng Davao Oriental Barangay Outreach Caravan, which has been held within one day in the partner community, “is not enough to end poverty in the community. Thus, the government needs to know the bedrock of the problem so that solutions will be draft accordingly.”

With the Provincial Government in the forefront of the upcoming implementation of the “Whole-of-Nation” Approach, different national line agencies have committed to support the said endeavor.

National agencies have committed their support to the new program. The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will provide skills and capacity training to build livelihoods in the community, so that the people can establish livelihood to support their daily needs.

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the Provincial Tourism, will be collaborating to promote the community’s culture, products, and tourism sites to further generate income for the locals.

Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) will render its social services and programs to the community.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police will safeguard the place and the community in the said event which will be spearheaded by the Department of the Local and Interior Government (DILG). By: Harold John J. Miguel (DOSCST Intern) /Photos by: Eden Jhan Licayan