Army commended by SP for peace advocacy in northern Negros Occidental

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 20): Army commended by SP for peace advocacy in northern Negros Occidental

The Philippine Army units in Negros Occidental received a commendation from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) for initiating the 15-day humanitarian, medical, and civic action that will benefit far-flung villages in the northern part of the province.

“The peace advocacy as a strategy adopted by the Philippine Army can be defined as a paradigm shift on political orientation favoring compromise to avoid conflict,” the SP said in resolution passed during its recent regular session.

A copy of the resolution was handed by First District Board Member Rolando Ponsica to Col. Aying Jon Aying, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, during the first Provincial Peace Integration and Development Unit (Pro-PIDU) Planning Workshop for the Phase II of the “Winning the Peace” initiative in Murcia town Monday.

Phase I, dubbed “Marching for Peace, Serving the Countryside,” was held in July and involved a 15-day caravan through six underprivileged and underdeveloped barangays in Escalante City, and Toboso and Calatrava towns.

Barangays residents availed of various humanitarian services brought by the Pro-PIDU, headed by Aying ang Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr., together with local government units, provincial government departments, non-government organizations and peace advocates.

The walk-through by Army and Philippine National Police personnel, and Army reservists covered 120 kilometers.

Phase II, dubbed “Serving the Countryside, Working with the People” will run from August to December this year.

The SP Resolution No. 0177, series of 2013 commended both the 303rd IB and the 62nd Infantry Battalion.

Part of the resolution stated that “one of the strategies adopted by the 303rd IB and 62nd IB of the Philippine Army is the sustainable peace advocacy through an improved police-community relation to encourage citizens’ maximum participation as key partners for peace-building and conflict prevention.”

It added that “the Philippine Army underscored the importance of multi-stakeholders’ approach in resolving armed conflict and promoting peace by bringing progress directly to the people and uplifting their quality of living through community immersion activities.”

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=557010