The Department of the Interior and Local Government-Caraga (DILG-Caraga) through the DILG-Agusan del Sur, and in partnership with the City Government of Bayugan, kicked-off the three-day Capacitating Urban Communities for Peace and Development (CUCPD) Phases 1 & 2 for the city’s 43 barangays last August 11, 2021.

DILG CARAGA Director Lilibeth A. Famacion said that the activity, held in the Bayugan Agriculture and Farmers Multi-purpose Building in Barangay Poblacion, Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur, was a sectoral dialogue between the City Government and the representatives of the most vulnerable sectors of the 43 barangays tackling peace and order issues on women, labor, urban poor, and youth and students.

She explained that the output of the activity was the creation of sectoral issues, concerns, and intervention matrices of the 43 barangays which will be presented to the officials of the city for consideration in their priority programs, projects, and activities.

Local Government Operations Officcer V Emmylou P. Burias, the lead facilitator from the DILG-Caraga, emphasized that the CUCPD is a needed platform to express to the local government unit (LGU) the pressing issues of the select marginalized sectors and the kind of intervention they seek to address them.

In addition, Provincial Director Arleen Ann R. Sanchez stressed that prioritization is important in the identification of the issues, putting a premium on the most urgent needs because government funds are limited and yet the scope of demand is large.

The activity was co-facilitated by Regional Office facilitators LGOO II Estela Marie M. Vallespin, PEAO II Psychee Amor M. Dalan, and PEAO II Maryfel V. Jerios. Also joining the team were the facilitators from the Provincial Office, OM Elva Theresa D. Velmonte, PM Luth Edmund M. Apresto, CLGOO Alice B. Robles, LGOO III Ednon John E. Aparicio, LGOO II Reynarose M. Tago, and Engineer II Camillo III L. Zamora.

Two (2) representatives from the key offices of the City Government were also present during the feedbacking of the activity outputs. (Courtesy: DILG Region 13)