by Larry Lopez

TABUK, Kalinga – Governor Jocel C. Baac issued this month Executive Order 15, series of 2011 creating the Kalinga Reintegration Committee (KARIC) in pursuit of a peaceful and developed province.

The move is pursuant to the Philippine Reintegration Program of President Benigno S. Aquino III, which takes the place of the former Social Integration Program (SIP) of the previous administration.

The reintegration program is under the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP).
As contained in EO 15, the reintegration committee aims to carry out the integrated plans of both the provincial with that of individual plans for former rebels and the necessary interventions for their peaceful transition to harmonious civilian life.

Through EO 15, the province opens a trust fund account as depository of all funds from the OPAPP for use in the reintegration program of Kalinga.

The KARIC serves as local counterpart of OPAPP in the implementation of the reintegration program of the government with support from member agencies.

For the KARIC composition, Gov. Jocel C. Baac sits as chairman, Vice Gov. Allen Jesse Mangaoang – vice chair, members are: heads of PSWDO as secretariat, provincial legal office, DILG provincial office, PNP provincial office, 501st brigade, 21st Army IB, public attorney’s office, provincial prosecutor’s office, DTI provincial office, DZRK radio station, provincial administrator office, TESDA provincial office, DOLE provincial office, OPAG, and PIA provincial office. (LL-PIA-CAR/Kalinga)