303rd IB honors 'Bayanihan' partners

From the Sun Star-Bacolod (Aug 9): 303rd IB honors 'Bayanihan' partners

The Philippine Army's 303rd Infantry Brigade marked its 28th founding anniversary on Friday by recognizing its stakeholders or "Bayanihan" partners for their participation in the quest for peace in Negros Occidental.

The rites were held at the 303rd IB headquarters at Camp Major Gerona in Barangay Minoyan.

Colonel Jon Aying, commander of the 303rd IB, said the stakeholders were part of winning the peace in Negros Occidental through the implementation of the Internal Peace and Security Plan "Bayanihan."

This year's anniversary theme is "303rd Brigade: Kaagapay ng mga Negrense sa Bayanihan Tungo sa Kapayapaan at Kaunlaran," with Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. and Major General Aurelio Baladad, commander of 3rd Infantry Division, as guest speakers.

The activity was also attended by Board Member Patrick Lacson and some retired officers of Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The Bayanihan partners, including different mayors in Negros Occidental, religious groups, Provincial Government employees, non-government organization, and the Negros Press Club, received plaques of recognition and "brown eagle" tokens given by Aying, Baladad, and Marañon.

Aying said the Philippine Army is working together with the stakeholders to address the insurgency problem in Negros Occidental, and to achieve a level of normalization or highly stable Negros Island by 2016.

Marañon said the insurgency continues because there is still huge number of Negrenses wallowing in poverty.

In order to address the insurgency problem, Marañon said the Negros First Program will work towards poverty alleviation and upliftment of the less privileged Negrenses.

For his part, Baladad said insurgency is multifaceted and the presence of non-government organizations and religious groups is needed to address the economic and socials issues.

He said the presence of political leaders will provide the directions and leadership for winning peace, and contribute in solving the political problems in Negros Occidental.

Baladad encouraged the public to get involved in "Bayanihan."

He said the success of the government's peace and security effort is dependent on the participation and support of the public.

Baladad also encouraged the 303rd IB to be more relevant to the needs of peace and development in Negros Occidental.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/local-news/2014/08/09/303rd-ib-honors-bayanihan-partners-358757