By: JUNE S. BLANCO
THE livelihood support Rep. Erico
Aristotle Aumentado churns out for his constituents in Bohol’s 2nd District is
“universal”.
The solon said his beneficiaries
are groups, be they progressive or still budding. He crosses political party
lines, following in the footsteps of his namesake father and predecessor Erico
Boyles Aumentado.
The son said his father’s formula
in alleviating the poverty of the Boholanos during his time was bringing
livelihood assistance to kanhi rebelde (KRs) or former rebels and non-KRs
alike.
The two-pronged approach of
combat, and livelihood support, for the KRs and their sympathizers after the
armed conflict won for Bohol the fight against insurgency, he recalled.
The younger Aumentado observed
that more often than not, people who feel neglected by the government because
of poor delivery of basic services, if at all, are easily swayed into the rebel
movement by the sweet-talking of recruiters who promise land, money, medicine
for sick relatives, scholarships for their children, and even firearms,
ammunition and allowances, especially if they join the armed group.
The formula was successful so
that former Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo issued Administrative Order 201, s.
2007, making the Bohol experience of civilian-led counterinsurgency the
template for emulation nationwide.
This drives the solon to extend
his helping hand to those in dire need – to make them feel being cared for by
the government.
Another footstep he is taking
after his father is integrity. To note, the elder Aumentado earned the moniker
“Mr. Clean” in Congress. He had completed three terms as congressman before
assuming the Bohol gubernatorial seat for an unprecedented nine years.
He was into his fourth term as
congressman when death overtook him on Christmas Day of 2012. Yet, he is
Bohol’s only veteran leader and politician not involved in the misuse of public
funds, particularly the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).
Links:
- Bohol Standard newspaper - [link]
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