Aurora town officials ink MOU for Armed Forces' IPSP Bayanihan implementation

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 22): Aurora town officials ink MOU for Armed Forces' IPSP Bayanihan implementation

URDANETA CITY -- The implementation of the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) Bayanihan of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in this province continues to gain success as two town chief executives have inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the 56th Infantry “Tatag” Battalion, Philippine Army based in Barangay Calabuanan here.

Lt. Col. Joey A. Escanillas, battalion commander of the 56th IB, Philippine Army said that they signed another MOU with the local officials in the towns of Dipaculao and Casiguran for the implementation of the IPSP Bayanihan for peace and development.

“The local government units, non-government and civic organizations as well as private individuals and groups manifested their commitment, support and cooperation in pursuing peace, security and development in the community,” Escanillas said.

He said they will continue to immerse the Bayanihan Teams (BTs) in the said towns through the leadership of Mayor Reynante Tolentino of Dipaculao and Mayor Ricardo Bitong of Casiguran.

The MOU will pave the way for the conduct of various civil-military operations in the areas, particularly delivery of basic services to the local government unit (LGU) and local government agency (LGA) in the barangays such as livelihood, development projects, medical services, and infrastructure development, among others.

“Our soldiers from the 56th “Tatag” Infantry Battalion, 703rd (AGILA) Brigade, 7th Infantry (KAUGNAY) Division, Philippine Army shall take the lead in the development of training modules and conduct training courses in organizing and activating Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams (BPATs), youth leader summit, peace building seminar and people’s peace rally,” Escanillas said.

It could be recalled that other barangays from Maria Aurora and San Luis towns also signed for the Bayanihan program.

Other areas that also implemented the IPSP are Barangays Lublob, Abuyo and Galintuja in Nueva Vizcaya; and in barangays San Martin, Cabua-an, Villa Gracia, Villa Ylana, Ysmael, Santo Niño, Villa Agullana, San Pedro and Manglad in Maddela in Quirino province.

“Through the MOU signing with LGUs, these manifested that we are committed and united (highlighting the spirit of bayanihan - unity and cooperation-), to accomplish our mission in establishing a peaceful community, helping each other towards secured environment conducive to sustainable economic development,” Escanillas added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=859696