07 Sep TESDA Aims to Reduce Poverty Despite Armed Conflict in Mindanao
To ultimately reduce poverty in Mindanao, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has been consulting with several agencies and local government units to conceive detailed strategies in addressing a more sustainable development in the region.
The consultations were taken up as a direct order from President Rodrigo Duterte for a “concerted and convergent approach” to lessen poverty in Mindanao considering the “armed conflict areas,” TESDA Deputy Director General Alvin Feliciano said during a meeting held in Zamboanga City.
Feliciano stated,“Poverty is the root cause of problems including armed conflict, and the President is really focusing on addressing all these problems in Mindanao.”
He added, “We would like to see that there will be an improved economy and sustainable growth particularly in the ARMM and in other conflict-affected areas.”
One-Town-One-Product scheme is to be re-established, one of the strategies to help reduce poverty in these areas.
Various government agencies who attended the consultation meeting did not agree to the term “conflict-affected areas” as based on the scheme, government interventions will provide keen attention on the said areas.
To be certain in targeting areas for the interventions, the body agreed to discuss with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to provide a distinct interpretation of “conflict-affected.”
Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) in cooperation with other government agencies and local government units implemented PAMANA projects in the supposed conflict-affected areas.
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