PRLEC talks with former UGMO members to strengthen ties with the gov't

From the Philippine Information Agency (Oct 23, 2020): PRLEC talks with former UGMO members to strengthen ties with the gov't (By Joyah Mae C. Quimoyog) 

QUIRINO, Ilocos Sur, Oct. 23 (PIA) - Member-agencies of the Poverty Reduction Livelihood Employment Cluster in Ilocos Sur (PRLEC) of the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC), through the 69th Infantry (Cougar) Battalion of the 702nd Infantry Brigade, 7th Infantry Division Philippine Army, headed by Lt. Col. Mario J. Igmen INF (GSC) PA, engaged with the residents of barangay Patungcaleo here through a community dialogue held last Oct. 20.

The activity aimed to establish a stronger linkage between the residents and the government.

It was attended by 92 residents of the said barangay — the majority of whom are former members of the Save Quirino Movement (SQM) - a Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) affiliated mass organization formed and exploited by communist organizers from Kilusang Larangang Gerilya-Abra, Mountain Province, Ilocos Sur (KLG-AMPIS).

Through the Community Support Program efforts of the 69IB, members of SQM were enlightened of the communist deceptive scheme that led to their withdrawal of allegiance from the CPP-NPA-NDF.

They will formalize their withdrawal of support by taking an oath and signing a pledge of commitment to the government in an activity this October to be facilitated by the local government unit (LGU), according to 1LT Laurence Mark P. Agbayani (INF) PA, Commanding Officer of the Bravo (HUNTER) Company, 69IB, 7ID.

In his testimony, Rowel Valdez, President of Upper Madapoy Farmers Association (formerly Dur-as Patungcaleo Farmers Association), expressed his gratitude to the 69IB for opening their minds on the communist deceptive scheme of the CPP-NPA-NDF.

“Inakit nila kami sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng mga kailangan sa pagsasaka katulad ng pala, bareta panghukay, kartilya at palakol. Noong binigay na nila ang mga iyon, sinasama na nila kami sa mga rally,” he said.

He added, “Noong dumating ang 69IB dito at ipinaliwanag na illegal iyong mga nag-organize sa amin dahil sumusuway ito sa gobyerno, napagisip-isipan namin na talagang hindi umaayon sa gobyerno iyong founder namin kahit nagbibigay sila ng tulong pero nilalabag naman ang gobyerno."

“Na-realize namin na ito ang tamang gawin at nagpapasalamat kami sa Philippine Army dahil mas newspanatag na kami ngayon,” he further added.

During the dialogue, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), headed by Provincial Director Socorro Galanto and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Ilocos Sur, headed by Provincial Director Grace Lapastora, introduced the various trainings and assistance that are available and can be provided to the target recipients to improve and develop their livelihood based on the resources they have in the community.

The women sector identified the need to undergo skills training on dress making and beauty care so the TESDA committed to conduct training on Dressmaking NC II, and Manicure and Pedicure.

The DTI also committed to conduct Basic Skills Training on Commercial Baking as the residents believed that cakes, pastries and breads are in demand not just during occasions but every day because they have become common food items in homes.

“Kung sino ang mga maunang mag-training, sila ang magsisimula at magtutuloy-tuloy at i-assign namin na magtuturo ng paggawa ng tinapay sa inyong komunidad kasi we are not giving the training to an individual but to a community,” PD Lapastora told the recipients.

"Alagaan natin ang mga oppurtunity na ito. Kapag sinimulan po natin ay sana tapusin din po natin dahil kung hindi natin makuha lahat ng lectures/demonstrations, hindi natin ma-a-aral ng mabuti ang training na ibibigay namin sa inyo,” PD Galanto added.

They also assured that if they cannot conduct the said training this year, they shall allocate budget for its implementation for the first quarter of year 2021.

Moreover, Lt.Col. Igmen thanked the support of the PRLEC member-agencies as well as the LGU Quirino to the National Task Force-ELCAC’s campaign to end the local communist armed conflict not just in the province but in the country.

“We are happy to see the developments in our campaign to end the local communist armed conflict. We believe that with every concerned government agency performing its mandates and addressing the prevailing issues in the communities, we will end this insurgency. We assure everyone that the Philippine Army will always be your partner in our quest for lasting peace in the country,” said in an interview.

Lt.Col. Igmen was represented by 1LT Agbayani, and Civil Military Operations (CMO) Officer 1LT Muhammad Johaiman S. Manda (INF) PA was represented by 2LT Jessica B. Pon (INF) PA. (JCR/JPD/JMQ, PIA Ilocos Sur)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1056638