Kauswagan, Lanao Norte launches “SIKAD PA” bridging program, today

Saturday 23rd of April 2011

KAUSWAGAN, Lanao del Norte, April 23 (PIA) –The local government of Kauswagan is set to formally launch, today, its bridging program called Sustainable Integrated Kauswagan Area Development and Peace Agenda (SIKAD PA).

Mayor Rommel C. Arnado said “SIKAD PA” becomes the town’s “bible” for development that would bridge the town’s vision for development and its constituents.

“This will tell the world that, indeed, Kauswagan is back on its feet and that that we are, again, living up to its name as the word means progress or improvement in English,” he said.

He said the program will be piloted in at least six (6) out of the town’s 13 barangays, namely: Inudaran, Tingin-tingin, Tacub, Libertad, Kawit Occidental and Kawit Oriental.

So far, the Punong Barangays (PB’s or Village Chieftains) of these areas have undergone a workshop and really went to the bottom of the problems besetting the municipality, down to its roots.

As had been identified from these workshops, there is urgent need to address two major problems: peace and order and economic recovery.

As the Chief Executive, I have vowed to lead by example in serving my town 24/7 and I realized this is not difficult with the favorable response that I get from the people, who I found, are very supportive,” Mayor Arnado said.

He said “SIKAD PA” is piloted in these areas which were affected by the atrocities in the past “because we do not want to swim in the sea for safety,” since that’s what happened during the Aug. 18, 2008 attack by the lawless MILF group (LMG).

People who wanted to evacuate cannot travel by land for fear of these LMG so they took to the seas.

As recalled, people in Libertad, Tingin-Tingin and Tacub fled their homes after it was attacked by the LMG who burned their houses on Aug. 18, 2008, resulting in the death of a number of people.

The same scenario took place in Inudaran which became a “no man’s” land after the March 2000 “all out war” of former President Joseph Estrada that sent the military planes to drop bombs in the area.

Also in the early ‘70’s both Kawit Oriental and Occidental were also attacked by lawless groups that sent the residents packing their things to evacuate to safer grounds after their houses were burned.

Meanwhile, during today’s launching of SIKAD PA, all the PB’s of the pilot barangays will sign a memorandum of agreement along with the non-government organizations (NGO’s) and funding institutions like the Assissi Foundation, Inc. who will sign their commitment of support to the “SIKAD PA” program.

Likewise, signing of resolution and commitment of support for the adoption and launching of the Agri-Pinoy Framework will be done by the Mayor and the representatives of the following government agencies:

Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Education (DepEd) and the Civil Society Organizations (CSO). (PIA-10)