Kalinga ELCAC outreach empowers 420 residents in Tawang, Balbalan

Balbalan, Kalinga – Working towards a future of harmony, the Provincial Task Force on Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) in Kalinga is breaking barriers and reshaping the landscape of community involvement.

On January 23, 2024, Barangay Tawang in Balbalan became the focal point of an inspiring community consultation and outreach program orchestrated by the PTF-ELCAC.

The initiative aimed not only to provide essential services but also to reimagine the very fabric of community life.

Spearheaded by Governor James Edduba, a stalwart advocate for peace in the province, and supported by DILG Kalinga Provincial Director Anthony Manolo I. Ballug, the event sought to foster unity and cooperation beyond the shadows of conflict.

The success of this move hinged on a collaborative endeavor that brought together diverse entities, including personnel from the Provincial Community Affairs and Development of Kalinga PPO, the Lumin-awa Medical Team, BJMP-Kalinga, RHU Balbalan, Balbalan MPS, Mejia Kim General Hospital, 1st and 2nd KPMFC, 1503rd MC, RMFB15, 503rd IB-PA, among other agencies.

Their combined efforts provided a holistic array of free services, from medical check-ups and circumcision to dental procedures, tooth extractions, and even haircuts, impacting the lives of 420 constituents.

At the heart of this transformative initiative was not just a community consultation, but a visionary approach to reassessing the status of the Barangay Development Plan. This introspective exercise aimed not only at identifying needs but also at fostering a sense of community ownership and empowerment.

The event resonated with support from various national line agencies, Offices of the provincial government, and Balbalan local government unit led by Mayor Almar Malannag and Vice Mayor Rowina Alison Damian. Their contributions during the community consultation underscored a collective commitment to a progressive and inclusive vision of community development.

Beyond the mandates of Executive Order 70, which institutionalizes the whole-of-nation approach to achieve inclusive and sustainable peace, their collective conviction that peace is a fundamental cornerstone for development propels this innovative initiative into a promising chapter for the future of Kalinga.