Army peace teams sent to Guihulngan brgys

From the Visayan Daily Star (Feb 5): Army peace teams sent to Guihulngan brgys

The 11th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army based in northern Negros Oriental has sent off its bayanihan teams to six barangays of Guihulngan City for non-combat operations.

The send-off was held after the flag-raising ceremony at the Guihulngan City Hall Monday, led by Mayor Carlo Jorge Joan Reyes, Army officials and city employees.

The teams will be deployed for immersion and stakeholders’ engagement in barangays Linantuyan, Luz, Plagatasanon, Banwage, Balogo and Humay-Humay.

Reyes, assisted by Lt. Col. Willy Isaac, commander of the 11th IB, presented a miniature “bahay kubo”, the symbol of “bayanihan”, to the BT squad leaders. “Bayanihan” is a Filipino word derived from bayan, referring to town, nation, or community, and is commonly used when alluding to community cooperation.

The BTs will be immersed for three to four months, and will act as facilitators for the convergence of efforts with the LGUs, local government agencies and stakeholders to resolve socio-economic issues, and ensure the delivery of basic services in the barangay, a press release from the Army said.

Reyes thanked the 11th IB for its continuous peace and development efforts, that he said, are also in line with his priorities of improving the lives of Guihulnganons, maintaining peace and order, and curbing the insurgency situation.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2014/February/05/negor3.htm