Kalinaw News: Residents in far flung village of Agnor get gifts from LGU, Army

Posted to Kalinaw News (Dec 18, 2020): Residents in far flung village of Agnor get gifts from LGU, Army



BUENAVISTA, Agusan del Norte – Thousands of residents from the different villages in the town of Nasipit in Agusan del Norte will receive gifts from the local government unit (LGU) in the area and the Army’s 23rd Infantry “Masigasig” Battalion.

The gift-giving activity dubbed the Renewed and Intensified Community Outreach (RICO), is the collaborative efforts of the LGU, particularly the Municipal Task Force to End the Local Communist Armed Conflict (MTF-ELCAC), the 23rd IB, and the other stakeholders in time with the celebration of this year’s Yuletide season and pursuant to the provisions of Executive Order No. 70 (EO 70).

The program has already started in Sitio Tabon, Barangay Aclan, and Sitio Campo in Barangay Jamiguitan last December 14. The said communities are considered Geographically-Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) in the town of Nasipit. The program will be concluded on December 26.

The RICO program is designed to meet the needs of the residents in GIDA areas and at the same time determine their situation in terms of peace and order and development. The program will also bridge the people of the communities to the LGU concerned and the different line agencies of the government and to the Army.

The said program is expected to benefit more than three thousand (3,000) residents of the five (5) GIDA barangays of Nasipit. Aside from gifts, the residents will also receive free services from the government including medical, birth registration, distribution of food packs and slippers, circumcision for the children, and free haircut which will be provided by the “Pogi Team” of the 23rd IB.

The residents in the identified GIDA areas in Nasipit have already withdrawn their support to the Communist New People’s Army (NPA) Terrorists (CNTs). The Underground Mass Organizations (UGMOs) of these barangays have also voluntarily surrendered to the government in recent mass surrender activities this year.

The gifts the residents will receive will include food packs containing five (5) kilos of rice, assorted canned goods, and ham for the Christmas celebration. In the sitios of Tabon and Campo, more than six hundred (600) residents have already received the gifts and the free services of the government through the RICO program.

Nasipit Mayor Enrico R. Corvera, in a statement, wished all the residents in the town, especially in the GIDA areas for a happy and meaningful Christmas celebration.

“In this season of giving, we heartily bring simple gifts in your communities with the aim to make everyone feel that Christmas is still alive even in the midst of the pandemic. We must also bear in mind that the true meaning of Christmas is not about giving expensive gifts, because what important is sharing what we have with the needy, loving our neighbors and giving hope to everyone who is in great distress. Not all of us were blessed with a good living, so, no matter how big or small the present is, it will become a great blessing to someone who has a grateful heart. May everyone be given good health and a bountiful blessing in this coming year ahead and may everyone celebrate Christmas happily with their families and loved ones,” Mayor Corvera said.

Lt. Col. Julius Cesar C. Paulo, the Commanding Officer of 23IB also shared his warmest greetings of Christmas to all the residents in the area.

“Now is the best time to help each other and to share our blessing. It is also the best time to be with our families and to forget all the hatred and chaos we had in our hearts. We encourage all the remnants of the CNTs to go back to the folds of the law and to your families. Your families are waiting for your return. Leave the armed struggle and be a responsible parent to stand as the great foundation and light to your families,” Paulo said.

He added that even in the midst of the pandemic, everyone must not lose hope by feeling the real essence of Christmas.

“It is not about how bountiful our tables may seem, but it’s about celebrating Christmas with our families and of course, having good health is the most important gift we receive from our savior Christ Jesus who gave his life to save us from our sins. There is so much to be thankful for this year and even though your armies are far away from our families, we still consider this year as the most wonderful time of the year,” Paulo said

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https://www.kalinawnews.com/residents-in-far-flung-village-of-agnor-get-gifts-from-lgu-army/