Members and prime movers of the Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) have basically set the course for 2021 in a recently held Program Assessment Cum Convergence Meeting at the Green Leaf Hotel in Gen. Santos City. In attendance were the city and municipal local government officers, partner agencies, local government units and the LEO 70 focal persons.
Various accomplishments of the RTF-ELCAC SOCSKSARGEN Full Council were presented by Mr. Jose Anthony Laurent Octavio, LEO 70 Focal Person of NEDA 12, highlighting the Local Serbisyo Caravans which were conducted in target barangays even during the time when the quarantine protocols had been eased up. TESDA XII’s Project TALA and the IPEACE also provided a breath of fresh air as various far-flung IP communities had been reached, receiving various assistance, trainings and financial aid.
In an update delivered by DILG XII LEO Focal Person Mr. Ian Jon Clemente, he announced that the Region is currently on the Phase 2 of the RCSP Process. The initial stage is Phase 0 which involves immersion in the target communities and Phase 1 involves the organization of the RCSP and the Core Team.
DILG XII Regional Director Josephine Cabrido-Leysa, CESO III further explained that attaining the Phase 2 called the “Access Stage” had been quite a difficult journey because it involves ‘identifying the governance gaps and the needed government interventions’. She thanked every stakeholder in the Region for the ‘collective leadership’ which made the whole process smoother.
“I have personally joined quite a number of these caravans and we can somehow gauge the warm reception of the people in the target barangays,” she added, as she related how she was able to reach secluded villages with names she is not so familiar with. “I make it a habit to put colored pins on the map of the places I have already visited in Region XII and so far, the number is growing each day,” Dir. Leysa shared further.
The Assessment and Convergence meeting had its Workshop sessions wherein various matters were discussed including the milestones for each LGU engagements and other guidelines especially on the LGSF-BDSF for this year
