NPA-free area in central Negros gets Christmas treats

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 19, 2022): NPA-free area in central Negros gets Christmas treats (By Nanette Guadalquiver)

GIFT-GIVING. Residents of the remote Sitio Madaja in Barangay Buenavista of Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental province receive early Christmas treats during the “Bayanihan sa Kapaskuhan" gift-giving activity organized by the Philippine Army's 303rd Infantry Brigade, together with various organizations on Dec. 10, 2022. Before it became a conflict-free area, Sitio Madaja was vulnerable to the influence of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army. (Photo courtesy of 303rd Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army)

BACOLOD CITY – Residents of a community in the hinterlands of Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental province have received early Christmas presents during a gift-giving activity organized by the Philippine Army's 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde), together with various organizations.

Now insurgency-free, Sitio Madaja in Barangay Buenavista has been the recipient of projects facilitated by 303IBde and its line unit, the 94th Infantry Battalion, in the past months.

"The Brigade will always be an active partner of our stakeholders who have a big heart for helping out fellow Negrenses living in remote areas," said commander, Brig. Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte, in a statement on Monday.

During the activity held on Dec. 10 dubbed "Bayanihan sa Kapaskuhan," 45 residents received reading glasses after going through a screening, while 100 individuals received hygiene kits.

Some 105 "noche buena" (Christmas eve) packs were also distributed.

A total of 153 children were given assorted toys and PHP5,000 worth of candies.

"All the Army units under the Brigade have partnered with the local government units, stakeholders and volunteers to bring the basic services to them," Pasaporte said.

Those who supported the activity included the Association of Negros Producers (ANP), Hope Builders Organization-Negros Island Inc., Radyo Muscovado of the Central Philippines State University, Negros Mountaineers Club Inc., Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Mambukal ELPSO Eagles Club.

Sitio Madaja is considered a Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Area, or a community which is difficult to reach by government basic services due to its remote location. The area can reached after a seven-hour trek from the take off point in Himamaylan.

Before it became a conflict-free area, Sitio Madaja was vulnerable to the influence of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army.

Last September, the products of the “tikog” (reed grass) weavers of Sitio Madaja, who are being assisted by the ANP, were featured in 36th Negros Trade Fair held in the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati City.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1191095