NPA-affected areas in Agusan Norte town to get services, gifts

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 18, 2020): NPA-affected areas in Agusan Norte town to get services, gifts (By Alexander Lopez)

CHRISTMAS GIFTS. Gift packs and free services will be given to residents in the Geographically-Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas in Nasipit, Agusan del Norte. The activity will run from Dec. 14 to Dec. 26, 2020. (Photo courtesy of 23IB)

BUTUAN CITY – Residents of villages considered Geographically-Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) in the Agusan del Norte town of Nasipit are benefiting from a series of service caravan and gift-giving activities that started on Dec. 14 until Dec. 26.

The activities are part of the Renewed and Intensified Community Outreach (RICO) program led by Nasipit's Municipal Task Force to End the Local Communist Armed Conflict (MTF-ELCAC), together with the 23rd Infantry Battalion and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

1st Lt. Roel Maglalang, 23IB civil-military operations officer, said more than 600 residents in Sitio Tabon, Barangay Aclan, and Sitio Campo in Barangay Jamiguitan in Nasipit town have received the services since the activity started.

“This is a continuing activity in line with the implementation of the Executive Order No. 70 and to bring the message of hope during the Christmas season to the people who are deeply affected by the harassments and deceptions of the New People’s Army (NPA),” Maglalang told the Philippine News Agency Friday.

Aside from the food packs, the residents will also receive free services from the government, including medical services, birth registration, distribution of food packs and slippers, circumcision for the children, and the free haircut, he added.

“The residents in these areas have already withdrawn their support to the NPA this year. This is a continuing activity that will bridge the residents directly to the LGU and other agencies to ensure the provision of development interventions of the government,” Maglalang said.

Lt. Col. Julius Cesar Paulo, 23IB commander, said Nasipit Mayor Enrico Corvera during the series of service caravan activities until Dec. 26.

“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,” Paulo said in a statement Friday.

He also called on the remaining members of the NPA in the area to return to the fold of the law and be with their families during the Yuletide season.

“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 also praised the residents in the GIDA areas of Nasipit for "standing against the continuing threats of the NPA."

The NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1125123