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"PUTTING TOGETHER THE PIECES OF THE KBP PUZZLE"THE 51ST ENGINEERS DEVELOPMENT EFFORT
By: LTCOL LYNDON J SOLLESTA (CE) GSC PA AC of S for OPERATIONS, G3, 51EBde, PA

In a basic puzzle, one is intended to piece together objects in a logical way in order to come up with the desired shape, picture or solution. It is an assembly of oddly shaped, interlocking and tessellating pieces. Puzzles are often created as a form of entertainment, perhaps a challenge but can also be activated from serious problems — in such cases, their successful resolution can be a significant contribution to solution.

Putting the pieces together for our counter-insurgency campaign is like a puzzle, wherein every piece plays a vital role in the desired shape, picture or solution. Each piece should be placed in an exact position, of the exact adjoining piece in appropriate succession to form the hidden picture.

The Center Piece of the Puzzle: KBP and the ISO Campaign. The paradigm shift of military operations and operations other than war (OOTW) has accelerated and gained countryside popularity in Philippine counter-insurgency campaign during the 20th century. One of the most glaring results of this transformation is the increased role of military in the conduct of national development through construction of basic facilities in once enemy influenced areas. To some extent, coupled with this infra-undertaking are the conduct of Medical/Dental civic actions and various humanitarian assistance that even extended the reach of civilian government basic services.

The Kalayaan Barangays Program (KBP) is looked upon as an ISO tool that compliments tactical efforts and plays a big role in the ‘Development” Phase of the Clear-Hold-Support (before its Consolidate & Develop) operational methodology. At the forefront of KBP implementation is the AFP National Development Support Command (NADESCOM) as the unifier of the AFP Engineer Units to provide strategic direction, operational policies and employment for a more focused, accelerated and concerted national development action. Using the Link-Undertake-Empower-Win-Sustain strategy, NADESCOM has been effective in employing a balance use of force to meet the local populace fundamental needs.

In Southern Tagalog and Bicol Regions, the task for KBP implementation falls on the 51st Engineer Brigade, Philippine Army as the project administrator and eventually the development arm in the AFP ISO campaign.

In Southern Tagalog and Bicol Regions, the task for KBP implementation falls on the 51st Engineer Brigade, Philippine Army as the project administrator and eventually the development arm in the AFP ISO campaign.

The 51st ENGINEERS, under BGEN FELIZARDO A SIMOY AFP, is a robust organization with strong professional leadership, strengthened resource-capability and personal dedication to deliver the development requirements in the countryside. Operating in tandem with tactical units and part of the a unified ISO campaign, Engineers deliver precise action and discriminate utilization of national resources, be in reconstruction, humanitarian assistance or disaster relief and rescue, with the ultimate aim of ‘winning the hearts’ and ‘capturing the minds’ of the populace.

Capacity Building and People Empowerment Piece. Participatory approach is the key in empowering the people as it establishes a certain degree of ownership on the project. This is also a way of getting the need of the majority rather that giving in to the desire of the influential few. The ‘ownership’ aspect further provides the people a stronger resolve to maintain the project for its long term use.

The Valuable Pieces: Stakeholders Participation. Military-led development efforts need not be independent but rather a collaborative act and convergence with different stakeholders. Among them are the Local Government Units (LGUs), Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), Peoples Organizations (POs), Religious Groups, Private Enterprises, Humanitarian Groups and the Media. All of them contribute necessary resources, complementary programs, skills and livelihood training, and valuable awareness that contribute to improvement of their daily life.

The Measurement of Success. Since CY 2005 to 2009, the 51st Engineers completed 158 school buildings, 35 health centers, 110 water system projects; energized 20 barangays and built 162 kilometers length of Farm- to- Market Road. It is easy to count by mathematical figures to quantify accomplishments. But what was immeasurable is the number of students that were given good education because of the school buildings; the health benefits given to the needy; the bulk of products transported through the roads; the potable water delivered at the doorsteps; and the wonders of technology brought to brightened communities. There are many approaches in putting together the pieces in the KBP puzzle, but the most essential is that all of the pieces should be present. For a single missing piece of the puzzle will create an empty space in the picture.