‘Bayanihan’ teams deployed in 11 NPA-affected Negros villages

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – The Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade has deployed 300 of its men to help fight poverty in 11 conflict-torn communities in the northern part of Negros Occidental.

Col. Jon Aying, commander of the 303rd IB based in Murcia town, said the 300 soldiers, augmented by policemen, will comprise 20 “Bayanihan” teams deployed in these hinterland barangays, as part of the military’s “Win the Peace” campaign.

The campaign’s theme is “Serving the Countryside, Working with the People” and is spearheaded by the Provincial Peace Integration and Development Unit (Pro-PIDU), a sub-unit of the Provincial Peace and Order Council.

The 11 remote barangays are located in Escalante City, Toboso and Calatrava – all in the first district – considered as highly affected by the New People’s Army (NPA).

The sendoff rites were held in Toboso town last Thursday led by Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. and Aying, who both head the Pro-PIDU. 

Other officials present during the sendoff rites were Toboso Mayor Richard Jaojoco, first district Board Member Rolando Ponsica, and Senior Superintendent Milko Lirazan, Negros Occidental police director.

The “Serving the Countryside, Working with the People” campaign comprises the second phase of the “Winning the Peace” initiative of the military and the provincial government.

The first phase, referred to as “Marching for Peace, Serving the Countryside,” was a socio-civic action held in July and involved a 15-day caravan across six barangays in Escalante City, and Toboso and Calatrava towns.

These six far-flung barangays, including Paitan, Pinapugasan and Malasibog in Escalante City, Bandila and Bug-ang in Toboso, and Malatas in Calatrava, were former mass base areas of the NPA.

Five more barangays adjoining these six villages were added for the second phase of the “Winning the Peace” program.

Ma. Lina Sanogal, provincial planning and development officer and action officer of Pro-PIDU, said Marañon is leading the peace and development efforts himself because he wants the residents of these areas to know that the government is sensitive to their needs.

“We are trying to re-establish the presence of the government in these areas,” she said.

Sanogal added that after turning over the supplies to the barangay residents, the “Bayanihan” teams will stay in these communities for about six months to assist the locals in rebuilding their communities.

During the sendoff program, Marañon turned over food supplies, household tools, and livelihood packages to the Army “Bayanihan” teams who will distribute these to more than 500 families in the recipient communities.

Marañon urged residents of these villages to cooperate with the provincial government in implementing the programs aimed at improving the countryside and promoting sustainable peace.

“There can never be progress if there’s no peace,” he said.

For his part, Aying said the “Winning the Peace” program is one of the ways that government forces can work with the people in far-flung areas.