By Jason de Asis
BALER, Aurora, Feb. 23 (PNA) — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), through the Philippine Army’s 56th Infantry “Tatag” Battalion based in Barangay Calabuanan here, has signed three joint memoranda of understanding (MOU) that conceptualized the internal peace and security plan (IPSP) called “Bayanihan” for peace and development in separate occasions in the provinces of Aurora, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino.
Lt. Col. Joey Escanillas, battalion commander of the 56th Infantry “Tatag” Battalion, Philippine Army said that those provinces are committed for further development and called for a collective effort to promote peace and security.
“We are committed to accomplish its mission in establishing peaceful and secured environment conducive to sustainable economic development,” he said.
Escanillas explained that the Philippine Army, together with the police, local government, and the peace-loving people of Aurora, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino will continue to work together in the spirit of ‘Bayanihan’ to preserve and further enhance the peace and security situation that could help sustain the socio-economic progress of the three provinces.
Under the agreement, the Philippine Army will immerse the Bayanihan Teams (BTs) in the three barangays of Dianawan, Bazal and Punglo in Maria Aurora town; barangays Lublob, Aboyo and Galintuja in Alfonso, Castañeda, Nueva Vizcaya and barangays San Martin, Cabua-an, Villa Gracia, Villa Ylana, Ysmael, Santo Niño, Villa Agullana, San Pedro and Manglad in Madella, Quirino.
In the said places, the army will assist the needs-assessment survey through house-to-house visitation, face-to-face dialogues and small group discussions.
They will also conduct information education campaign (IEC) through campus tours in both elementary and secondary schools, pulong-pulong and community assembly.
Likewise, the army will assist and facilitate the delivery of basic services of the local government unit (LGU) and local government agency (LGA) in the barangays such as livelihood, development projects, medical services, infrastructure development, among others.
“We shall take the lead in the development of training modules and conduct training courses in organizing and activating Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams (BPATs), youth leader summit, peace building seminar and people’s peace rally,” Escanilla said.
The MOU also stated that the Philippine Army’s obligation is to handover the by-product of Bayanihan Team Activities (BTA) to LGU for sustained maintenance and will assist in crafting of integrated area, community public safety plan and crafts the budget of proposed BTA projects, programs and activities to the annual investment plan of the LGU.
The LGUs, on the other hand, will accept and support the BTAs, deliver the basic services based on approved plans and programs; extend assistance to Bayanihan Teams (BTs) in its developmental undertakings in the barangays; provide assistance to BTs depending on the availability of resources;
The LGUS will also provide facilities and accommodation during the conduct of peace development activities; craft the integrated area, community public safety plan; integrate the budget of BTA projects, programs, and activities to LGU budget; undertake the sustainability of the BTA accomplishments; and provide financial assistance and livelihood provisions for rebel returnees.
The MOU signings in separate sheets and occasions were signed by mayors Amado Geneta of Maria Aurora, Junie Cua of Quirino and Annie C. Bayawan of Alfonso Castaneda, Nueva Vizcaya.
Meanwhile, Escanilla in his report , said that the Philippine Army’s 56th Infantry “Tatag” Battalion have conducted medical-dental and free haircut services, together with Maria Aurora Local Government Unit (LGU), dental team from Fort Magsasay, Nueva Ecija Lions Club and the Battalion’s Medical Retainer in the barangays Dianawan, Bazal and Punglo in Maria Aurora town.
“We owe the success of this mission to the generous support received from our donors and friends especially to Congresswoman Bellaflor Angara-Castillo for the free medicines. We are very thankful for the support of everybody. The essence of Bayanihan is greatly felt by the people and the establishment of good image, the skills and initiatives of the troops deployed in the barangays are the key factors of the activity,” Escanilla said.
He said that there are 383 strong armies deployed in the three provinces implementing the IPSP Bayanihan. (PNA)