March for peace kicks off

From the Visayan Daily Star (Jul 3): March for peace kicks off

About 1,000 Army soldiers and policemen participated in the 25-kilometer foot march Monday, from Brgy. Bato in Sagay City, to Brgy. Paitan, Escalante, to start the 15-day “March for Peace, Serving the Countryside”, spearheaded by the Provincial Peace Integration and Development Unit of Negros Occidental.

Col. Jon Aying, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said the march for peace and civic action activity will give them a chance to show the people that they are the legitimate force of the government, who are ready anytime to protect them.

Capt. Leo Christopher Cunanan, 303rd Infantry Brigade Civil Military Operations officer, said the combined Army and police visibility and civilian humanitarian effort is a one-stop-shop activity that will cater to the immediate needs of the people and work on long-term needs of depressed communities in northern Negros, in tandem with multi-stakeholders.

The hinterlands barangays of Paitan, Pinapugasan and Malasibog, all in Escalante City, Bandila and Bug-ang in Toboso, Malatas in Calatrava have been identified as beneficiaries of the 15-day humanitarian efforts of PPIDU of the provincial government of Negros Occidental.

The foot march was followed yesterday by civic action activities, participated in by government agencies, non-government organizations and local government units, headed by Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr.

In his speech, Marañon, urged residents of northern Negros to cooperate and contribute to the collaborative efforts of the government and various stakeholders to attain peace and development.

He also assured members of the New People’s Army who intend to return to mainstream society that the provincial government is ready to help them, citing the livelihood and financial assistance they have extended to the 89 rebel returnees and their families.

Marañon also promised to help in the rebuilding of three elementary school buildings, allegedly burned by the NPA, in previous years. The buildings have no roofs and students using it are exposed to sunlight and rain.

Paitan barangay chairman Richardy Pios thanked the provincial government headed by Marañon for bringing the services of government agencies to his constituents. “ It makes us feel that we are not forgotten”, he said.

Aying also rallied various stakeholders for unity in achieving peace and development in northern Negros. He also reiterated his appeal for the NPA to abandon the armed struggle, adding that it only hinders development in the countryside.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2013/July/03/topstory6.htm