Army Brigade strengthens initiatives in keeping the ‘Bayanihan’ spirit alive

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jun 14): Army Brigade strengthens initiatives in keeping the ‘Bayanihan’ spirit alive

The 1002nd Brigade of the Philippine Army remains steadfast on its vow to keep the ‘bayanihan’ spirit alive to further promote peace and development in its areas of responsibility.

Capt. William Rodriguez, civil military officer of the 1002nd Brigade, based in Malandag, Malungon, Sarangani, emphasized that their troops intensify implementation of Peace and Development Outreach Program (PDOP) especially in remote villages.

Under this program, Rodriguez said that they conduct peace and capacity building through immersion and dialogues with communities as well as conduct skills trainings, that would could boost the livelihood capacity of the residents, especially the underprivileged. 

Army troops are in full force in coordinating to local government units and government agencies helping them in the construction of school buildings, rehabilitation of roads and other developmental efforts, he said.

“As part of our ‘bayanihan’ , we also conduct ‘winning the peace’ activities including youth leadership summit, youth for peace planning workshop and other school activities because we believe that the youth is one of the vulnerable sectors that can be easily influenced (by the New People's Army),” Rodriguez noted.

Another initiative which the brigade strengthens to boost ‘bayanihan’ is the conduct of dialogues with indigenous people (IP) communities and the delivery of livelihood and developmental projects.

Meanwhile, the military official said that they also take part in implementing the government’s national greening program.

Rodriguez explained that aside from these initiatives, still, the 1002nd Brigade mainly focuses on the security of the people. Deployment of units and personnel to places with high risk of tensions and conflicts is their primary action to combat different forms of criminality.

He is hopeful that these initiatives would not only empower the ‘bayanihan’ spirit but would also enlighten the public that the military is dedicated in working for durable peace and sustainable development in its areas of responsibility.

'Bayanihan' is a strategy that includes nation building efforts in implementing development projects through the coordination of the people and different stakeholders to ensure peaceful and developed communities.

The 1002nd Brigade covers six municipalities and one city of North Cotabato, 13 municipalities and 1 city of Davao del Sur and seven municipalities of Sarangani province.

Also included in its area of operations are the 10 municipalities and 1 city of South Cotabato and one municipality of Sultan Kudarat.

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=2301371184570