BUENAVISTA, Agusan del Norte – The Local Government Unit of Buenavista in partnership with the 23rd Infantry (Masigasig) Battalion (23IB) conducted a town hall meeting with the members of the barangay councils of Macalang, Guinabsan, Sangay, Lower Olave and Simbalan all of Buenavista town.
The meeting was held in Poblacion 6, Buenavista town on March 30, 2021.
The gathering of the barangay council members was aimed to discuss and revisit the issues and concerns of the implementation of the Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) in the said barangays. The meeting also finalized plans for the implementation of priority programs and projects that will be funded under the Barangay Development Program (BDP). During the meeting, the barangay captains of said barangays presented their Barangay Development Plans, including their proposed livelihood skills training programs that will help enhance the knowledge and skills of the residents.
The barangay captains thanked the 23IB for the continued support the unit provided to the said barangays. They also conveyed their support and expressed readiness to work in the implementation of peace and development initiatives of the government.
The five (5) barangays involved in the meeting are considered Geographically-Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) of Buenavista town and identified as influenced-barangays of the Communist New People’s Army (NPA) Terrorist (CNT) but were all cleared through the implementation of the CSP program in 2019.
Buenavista Municipal Administrator Elmer Maboloc, during the meeting, commended the barangay council members and the 23IB for the unified efforts to end the local communist armed conflicts in the area.
“Let us help one another to thwart the CNT activities and stop their violence. Every one of us plays a vital role in protecting our communities against terroristic activities and threats,” Maboloc said.
He also emphasized the importance of building strong and meaningful partnership with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) and become vigilant and alert against the terroristic activities of the CNTs in the areas.
Lt. Col. Julius Cesar C. Paulo, the commander of 23IB deeply appreciated the participation of the barangay captains and on their all-out support to the peace and development initiatives of the government.
“We will work with you in your communities not only to address the security and peace concerns but also to assist and facilitate the delivery of government services. Insurgency is not only the concern and responsibility of the Army and PNP but it is also your responsibility and concern. Winning the war against insurgency can only be achieved through combined efforts of all sectors and peace partner concern,” Paulo said.
He also challenged the barangay officials to continue to report to the Army any suspicious personalities sighted in the area.
