Peace partners feted by AFP

MANILA, Philippines - Three provincial governors, a singer-actress and 16 others have been feted by the military for supporting its peace and development programs.

The 20 individuals and groups were conferred the Bayanihan in a simple ceremony held last week in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

The awarding ceremony is one of the events in celebration of the AFP fs 77th anniversary last Friday.

The awardees were led by Governors Eustaquio Bersamin of Abra, Alfonso Umali of Oriental Mindoro and Paul Daza of Northern Samar.

Bersamin was lauded for supporting the construction of schools and hygiene facilities in his province, while Umali was cited for his nutrition and environmental projects in far-flung areas.

Meanwhile, Daza was credited for enacting ordinances that provided rewards to those who wish to abandon the armed rebellion.

Two entertainment personalities were awarded for sharing their talents to promote the military’s development and security efforts.

Singer Sarah Geronimo was cited for waiving her P10-million talent fee when she sang the theme song of the military’s security plan.

The military has also tapped Geronimo as ambassadress of its peace and development efforts and regards her as a role model for the youth.

Actor and recording artist Carlos Agassi, meanwhile, was feted for creating awareness about the spirit of unity through music. A song in one of Agassi’s albums tackled the people’s aspirations to achieve lasting peace.

Also awarded was Bai Rohaniza Sumndad-Usman. country manager of Asia America Initiative, a group that advocates understanding between Christians and Muslims.

The other awardees were Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry-Calabarzon director Roberto Licup Sr.; Adelina Banavento Villena of the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development; Liza Quirog of Bohol’s provincial governor’s office; Marawi peace advocate Saripada Tamano; Davao budget department director Achilles Bravo; Viva Communications’ Vic Del Rosario; Batangas 4th district board member Mabelle Virtusio.

The organizations that were cited for their peace and development initiatives were R.K. Shimizu (Nagasaki) Foundation; Ten Moves Foundation; Social Welfare Department-Davao; Lanao del Sur People’s Council; Kaya Natin! Movement; Bantay Bayanihan; and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

“Your advocacies and endeavors have cascaded into positive changes in your communities. This only speaks of your firm principles and integrity that are truly worthy of recognition and emulation of the Filipino people,”AFP chief Gen. Jessie Dellosa said.

Dellosa also instructed soldiers to strengthen their partnerships with civilian stakeholders in their area.

 “Do not be daunted by the immense tasks, for this does not demand that we should go beyond our limits. Through our respective fields and our own talents, we can help this nation win the peace and move forward to progress and development,” he said.

The military and their civilian partners are conducting development programs in far-flung areas to discourage residents from joining insurgents and other armed groups and instead participate actively in nation building.