BUTUAN CITY -- The Department of the Interior and Local Government (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 and 2 for the city’s 43 barangays on Wednesday, August 11. 

The activity, held at the Bayugan Agriculture and Farmers Multi-purpose Building, Lanzones St. in Barangay Poblacion, was a sectoral dialogue between the city government and the representatives of the women, labor, urban poor, and youth and students sectors, which are the most vulnerable in issues concerning peace and order.

Participants helped in the identification of sectoral issues and concerns of the 43 barangays and created intervention matrices which will be presented to the officials of the city for consideration in their priority programs, projects, and activities. 

Emmylou Burias, the lead facilitator from the DILG Caraga Regional Office, emphasized that the CUCPD is a needed platform for LGUs to be more aware of pressing issues marginalized sectors face in the struggle to achieve peace and order and create needed interventions. 

DILG Agusan del Sur Provincial Director Arleen Ann Sanchez stressed that prioritization is important in the identification of the issues, putting a premium on the most urgent needs since government funding is limited yet the scope of demand is large. (Zorro D. Velmonte, DILG-Caraga/DMNR/PIA-Caraga)