Sunday, July 27, 2014

Aris: Livelihood support universal



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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