Kalinaw News: Army’s 58IB and the Local Government Unit of Lagonglong, Misamis Oriental conduct outreach program to former NPA safe haven in the municipality

From Kalinaw News (Feb 25, 2023): Army’s 58IB and the Local Government Unit of Lagonglong, Misamis Oriental conduct outreach program to former NPA safe haven in the municipality

Building Trusts, Sustaining the Gains

CLAVERIA, Misamis Oriental – In collaboration with the Regional Association of Government Communication (RAGCOM) Region X, the 58th Infantry “Dimalulupig” Battalion conducted an outreach program to the former safe haven of Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs) at Sitio Curnao, Brgy. Umagos, Lagonglong, Misamis, Oriental on February 24, 2023.

This program is inline with the unit’s campaign of restoring communities, changing lives. Sitio Curnao is categorized as a Kosolidado, Kinokonsolidado, Expansyon, and Rekobery (KKER) area under the Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs). As a consequence of its vast terrain and the presence of their family members, said sitio served as a safe haven for top leaders of Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs).

The Mobile Community Support Sustainment Teams (MCSSTs) were previously immersed in said area and already declared cleared from CPP/NPA/NDF affectation by the Area Clearing Validation Board (ACVB) on September 11, 2019. Since then, livelihood assistance and trainings have been given and conducted for the people’s organizations (PO) called Curnao Farmers Association (CUFA). This includes goat dispersal, turnover of assorted farm seedlings, water system installation, and solar light installation. Thus a recipient of the Support to Barangay Development Program (SBDP), which is already in implementarion.

And now, through the initiatives of various line agencies, stakeholders, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other legal organizations, a more diverse approach to revisiting Sitio Curnao has been undertaken. Social, health, education, socio-economic, and other essential services are provided to 22 households in Sitio Curnao and 93 others in neighboring communities. In addition, the 4ID Medical team provides medical consultation to 72 patients.

An inspiring message was also given to the community by all department heads about their role in government and the kind of assistance they can also provide, especially to the farmer’s, women’s, and youth sectors, which are regarded as vulnerable to deceptive recruitment by the CPP, NPA, and NDF.

Hon. Edgardo S. Cainglet, Sangguniang Bayan Member and former Brgy Captain of said sitio, expresses his heartfelt gratitude to all government agencies who came without hesitation despite the distance, lack of electricity, no signal connectivity, and the only mode of transportation being by foot and horseback in reaching out to the people of Curnao, bringing social services, and building roads to this small community.

Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Christian C. Uy, Battalion Commander of the 58IB, lauded all the department heads of the government agencies, stakeholders, NGOs, and other legal organizations who took part in the activity and their dedication for hiking an hour and a half through the rugged terrain just to reach Sitio Curnao. “More blessings will come to those who give,” Lt. Col. Uy stated, urging the community to remain steadfast in the growth of the socio-economic development of the community while remaining resilient to any form of deceptive recruitment by the CTGs.

[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.]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/armys-58ib-and-the-local-government-unit-of-lagonglong-misamis-oriental-conduct-outreach-program-to-former-npa-safe-haven-in-the-municipality/