CAR Tagged As One Among Safest Region In Phl

June 4, 2021 JUST IN

BAGUIO CITY (June 4, 2021) –  The highland Cordillera Region was considered as one among the safest regions in the country.
Even seeing it as among the top accomplishments of the Duterte administration that are felt in the highland region, an improved peace, order and security situation, Agriculture Secretary William Dar, the Cabinet Officer for Regional Development  for the Cordillera(CORDS for CAR) during the Pre – SONA (State of the Nation Address) Series held at the Baguio Convention Center this Tuesday, affirmed an effective implementation of law enforcement and anti-illegal drug campaign resulted to the drop  of crime incidence  year on year  since 2016 in CAR.
In 2020 alone, Dar reported, intensified police operations resulted to the arrest of the top three most wanted persons and 1,717 wanted persons,
The continuing fight against illegal drugs also led to the arrest of 444 drug personalities and around P588.32 million worth of illegal drugs were  confiscated, the CORDS for CAR said.
Dar hailed the communities and the people of the region for their effort and participation in the localization of Executive Order  No.  70  institutionalizing  the whole- of–nation approach in attaining inclusive and lasting peace and creating  the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF – ELCAC).
For this year, a total of P160 million or P20 million worth of development projects is allocated for each of the eight barangays.   At least 71 more ELCAC-identified barangays are also getting government support with the collaboration of all key stakeholders in the coming months.  Eight pilot insurgency free -barangays in the region (6 in Abra, 1 in Mountain Province and 1 in Kalinga) earlier received P20M each.
Dar  also stressed that the DA will continue to transform agriculture in the highlands to an ideal environment that will optimize resources while producing the maximum outcomes and benefits.  “Focus shall be given to marketing and agribusiness activities that have been considerably affected with the COVID – 19 pandemic while the Plant Plant Plant Program shall be intensified, as we all know, food security at present is our overarching goal, second to public health concerns.”
Dar also pointed out milestones on poverty alleviation and greater economic and social inclusion; improved road and irrigation facilities to promote and enhance economic activities under the Build, Build, Build Infrastructure Program; and the Declaration of five Minahang Bayan areas in Cordillera.
Dar was joined by Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, PIA Director General  USEC Ramon Cualoping III and ASEC Marie Rafael  representing the Presidential Communications  Operations Office, DOH – CAR Assistant Regional Director Dr. Amelita Pangilinan and Mayor Benjamin Magalong.
A prelude to the sixth and final SONA of Pres. Duterte on July  26, 2021, the  Kasama Sa Pamana: Regional Pre-SONA Series is being conducted in the different regions to  inform the  public of the major accomplishments of the Duterte Administration and  plans for his remaining term , as well as  comprehensive  report on CoVID  19 response  and the ongoing national vaccination program in the regions.
Artemio A. Dumlao