Kalinaw News: Balik Barangay Program facilitates return of 287 displaced families

From Kalinaw News (Mar 22, 2023): Balik Barangay Program facilitates return of 287 displaced families

Camp Bautista, Jolo, Sulu – March 22, 2023 287 families were able to return at their homes after being displaced for 16 years through the Balik Barangay Program in Barangay Tumantangis, Indanan, Sulu on March 21, 2023.

In his remarks, Hon. Hermot D. Jikiri, Municipal Mayor of Indanan said, “I am grateful to the support of the provincial government and the initiative of the military in ensuring the success of the Balik Barangay Program of Barangay Tumatangis. Indeed, this program contributes to the peace and development in the municipality of Indanan.” 

Major. Gen. Ignatius N. Patrimonio, Commander of Joint Task Force (JTF) Sulu and 11th Infantry “Alakdan” Division said, “Binabati ko kayo sa inyong pagbabalik barangay matapos ang ilang taong sakripisyo. Alam ko na hindi naging madali ang inyong pinagdaanan, kaya itong Balik Barangay Program ay magiging daan upang mamuhay kayo ng mapayapa at maunlad.” 

“I assure the people of Sulu that our campaign using the whole-of-nation approach to achieve sustainable peace and development is very effective and on-track,” Maj. Gen. Patrimonio added. 

Meanwhile, Mr. Noenayrie H. Asiri, Focal Person of Provincial Task Force to End Local Armed Conflict conveyed the message of Gov. Abdusakur Tan, Provincial Governor of Sulu, “Ang Balik Barangay Program ay isang pagkakataon para mabigyan kayo ng bagong pag asa at mamuhay ng normal. Makakaasa kayo sa suporta at tulong ng ating gobyerno para muli kayong makapag simula.”

Among the highlights of the program were the ground breaking ceremony of the water system, inauguration and ribbon cutting of Langpas- Sitio Agahon Road, cash assistance, relief distribution, medical check up and Covid-19 vaccination, feeding activity, and peace covenant signing declaring the Abu Sayyaf Group as “Persona non Grata” in their barangay. 

The program was spearheaded by the Indanan Municipal Task Force to End Local Armed Conflict (MTF-ELAC), JTF Sulu, and active collaboration of the different local government agencies of Sulu, security sector, and the residents of Barangay Tumantangis, Indanan. 

The Balik Barangay Program is joint collaboration of the military and local government unit through the Sulu Provincial Task Force to End Local Armed Conflict (PTF-ELAC). The said program started since 2020 and was able to facilitate the return of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in 16 barangays of Sulu which benefited a total of 7,143 families.

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.]

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