Peace caravan conducted in Ifugao town
ASIPULO, Ifugao -Various government and non-government agencies and other health care providers conducted a one-day peace caravan in this municipality on August 4 serving about 500 folks of Nangkatengey, Namal and other nearby barangays.
Nangkatengey is about one-hour ride or three and one- half hours hike from the Poblacion of Asipulo town and development of farm-to-market road is underway through the local government unit.
The said event was spearheaded by the 54th Infantry Battalion, in partnership with the different government line agencies, LGUs of Ifugao and Mountain Province and civil-society organizations.
Activities conducted include the mass surrender and oath taking of 14 alleged Militia ng Bayan members and six New People’s Army (NPA) supporters, medical and dental consultation with tooth extraction, circumcision/ minor surgical operation, blood typing and distribution of free medicines.
Aside from the medical services, the 54th IB conducted a youth peace slogan campaign contest, video presentation and tree-growing activity. The attendees also availed free haircut, vegetable seeds, school supplies, books, toys, food pack items, hygiene kits and second hand clothes.
Lt. Col. Narciso Nabulneg, Jr. said the activity forms part of the Community Support Program (CSP) in the barangays advocated by Armed Forces of the Philippines(AFP) which aims to deliver basic services and bring the government closer to the people especially in far flung barangays or geographically isolated and distressed areas.
“The event is a good manifestation that the whole of government approach can be at hand through the intensified stakeholders’ engagement which further attains the AFP’s advocacy for a peaceful, developed and progressive
community. I also encourage other NGOs who are advocating the same activity to converge with us and share our common goals to the community in order to have a one stop shop in the future undertakings”, Nabulneg added.
Asipulo Mayor Armado Domilod said the municipal government, in partnership with other service providers, is doing its best to provide the necessary services to the community especially the construction of farm to market roads that would help them uplift their living condition.
Meanwhile, an information education campaign was conducted by government agencies like the Department of Education, Philippine National Police, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, Department of Health, LGUAsipulo, Bureau of Fire Protection, Department of Interior and Local Government, Philippine Information Agency and Philippine Red Cross.