On October 23, 2019, Governor Imelda ‘Angging’ Quibranza-Dimaporo speaks in front of the business sector of Northern Mindanao to consider Lanao del Norte as one of the priority areas of their Corporate Social Responsibility programs during the “Forum on Corporate Social Responsibility for Sustainable Peace and Inclusive Development” held at Chali Beach Resort, Cugman, Cagayan de Oro City.

Governor Angging humbly presented the achievements and the on-going and implemented programs, activities, and projects in the province in coordination between the provincial and municipal governments in partnership with various national government agencies, civil society organizations, people’s organizations, and non-governmental organizations in the region and in the province, to efficiently and effectively deliver basic government services to the people, particularly in conflict-affected and isolated communities in order to address the root causes of insurgency and rebellion.

One of the programs initiated to attain lasting peace in the province was the launching of Executive Order 70 and the Program on the Convergence Areas for Peace and Development (CAPDev) in Barangay Beruar in the Municipality of Tangcal last October 7, 2019.

Barangay Beruar is the home of Camp Bilal 2 (2nd Division), one of the major camps of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Northern Mindanao under the command of Hadji Calandada ‘Commander Minsupala’ Dumalundong.

Commander Minsupala during the momentous activity expressed his sincerity and willingness to coordinate and participate with the programs of the government for the betterment of the people of Tangcal and the entire province.

And for EO 70, the Whole-of-Nation Approach to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC), the Provincial Chief Executive, informed the business sector that Lanao del Norte is a CPP-NPA free province; and said, “However, we are not that complacent. We are always on-guard and not to give an inch of our land for this terrorist group and others with the same purpose to thrive and influence the peace-loving people.”

The Municipal Mayors of Lanao del Norte have taken the necessary steps to address this concern and established the Municipal Task Force – ELCAC in their respective municipalities as chairpersons.

MTF-ELCAC is also task to initiate priority programs and projects in conflict-affected and isolated areas to promote and advance peace and development, and through CAPDev, relations between the national and local government units strengthens by complementing each other in order that much-needed services will easily be accessed by the people with the help of other stakeholders.

Governor Angging presented the Priority Areas and Needs for Corporate Social Responsibility in Lanao del Norte to the private sector. The Needs related to Livelihood are the most requested by the barangays, followed by Roads, Education, Health, Water, Safety and Security, and Energy.

The municipalities that needs CSR interventions are Tagoloan, Balo-i, Pantar, Poona Piagapo, Munai, Kolambugan, Maigo, Tangcal, Tubod, Bacolod, Magsaysay, Nunungan, Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Salvador, and Sapad.

The existing projects under CAPDev was also shown by the Governor such as the Housing Project in Barangay Dalama, Tubod (on-going); Construction of 1 Unit 2 Storey Classroom School Building in Barangay Beruar, Tangcal (for implementation); Construction of Water System in the Municipalities of Pantar, Kolambugan; Lumbac to Pangao-Magsaysay; Beruar, Tangcal; Barangay Poblacion, Nunungan; and Munai (completed), to name few.

Governor Angging appealed to the private corporations to join with the government in uplifting the lives of the people, especially in those areas that need them the most, not only fulfilling its social responsibilities but as well as being responsible and concern sectors of society, and hope that Lanao del Norte will be one of their priority areas to consider.

Five (5) of the leading Multi-Corporations in the region were present, namely, Aboitiz Foundation, Inc., STEAG State Power Inc., SM Foundation, Inc.; Ayala Foundation, Inc.; and Del Monte Foundation, Inc.

2nd District Representative, Congressman Abdullah ‘Bobby’ Dimakuta Dimaporo accompanied the Governor to express his support together with the Municipal Mayors of Lanao del Norte and Col. Facundo Falafox IV, Commander of the 2nd Mechanized Brigade.

The event was organized by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Region 10, headed by Regional Director Mylah Faye Aurora B. Cariño for the four (4) provinces of the region-Misamis Occidental and Oriental, Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte, Camiguin was not included for it is a conflict-free province.

Presidential Communications Operations Office, Secretary Jose Ruperto Martin M. Andanar, who is also the Cabinet Officer of the Regional Development and Security (CORDS) for Region10, and National Security Adviser and Director General, Secretary Hermogenes C. Esperon Jr and Cagayan de Oro City Mayor, Honorable Oscar Moreno attended the forum to share their thoughts and help convince the private sector to join with the CAPDev program of the government. PIO-LDN