TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines- Cagayan Provincial Office for People Empowerment (POPE) chief Ruelie Rapsing told Cagayanos to “have faith” with purok leaders in the managing of “Bayanihan tools.”
“If we are part of the community and since we’re trying to capacitate the people and get [them] involved in the direction of each barangay, manalig tayo sa kapwa nating mga Cagayano [sa] ibinigay na tulong ng ating pamahalaang panlalawigan,” Rapsing said in response to criticisms on the program.
Although the POPE chief is aware of the criticisms from those who are “adamant” of the program, he said they must try to implement the project to see how it fairs.
“Mahirap yung wag na nating i-implement ito kasi merong nagcriticize nito. We have to implement this so that we will see how this will be successful,” he said.
The provincial government is distributing sets of carpentry tools since December 11.
The POPE head said the carpentry tools will be entrusted to purok leaders of Agkaikaisa Cagayan.
He noted that only puroks with officers of the said organization will be given carpentry tools.
Rapsing said this is because their office wanted people who will take care of the tools and monitor its usage.
“We’re trying to capacitate them and empower them so that they can involve themselves and be a part of the community’s development,” he said in an episode of Pagdidinnamagan: Kapehan sa Kapitolyo.
“Tinawag lang nating bayanihan tools iyon dahil gusto nating i-inject na yung within the community magbayanihan sila, magtulungan sila,” he added.
Rapsing assured that there are guidelines for the usage of the carpentry tools and that purok leaders will log a list of people who rent the tools.
Meanwhile, Rapsing dismissed claims of problems in organizing Agkaikaisa Cagayan. “Maayos ang pag-oorganisa natin at maayos yung koordinasyon natin sa mga opisyales ng barangay,” he said.
The carpentry tools, worth a total of P29,972,242.50, will be distributed in all 5,740 puroks of the province’s 820 barangays. Northernforum.net
