MOA signing formalizes declaration of Samar as peace and development ready province

By DPAO, 8ID PA
December 11, 2014

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar – The Provincial Government of Samar and the 8th Infantry (Stormtroopers) Division, Philippine Army through the 801st Infantry (Bantay at Gabay) Brigade spearheaded the Signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) formally declaring Samar as Peaceful and Ready for Further Development Province (PRFD). The momentous event was held last December 10, 2014 at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall, Provincial Capitol, Catbalogan City, Samar.

The declaration of Samar as PRFD caps the successful implementation of the peace and development efforts in the Eastern Visayas region. The activity was well-attended by key stakeholders for the peace effort which includes: Hon Sharee Ann T. Tan, Governor, Province of Samar and Chairman, Provincial Peace and Order Council; Stephen James T. Tan, Vice Governor, Province of Samar; Lt Gen Nicanor M. Vivar AFP, Commander of Central Command; Maj Gen Jet B Velarmino AFP, Commander, 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army; and, Brig Gen Wilson M. Leyva AFP, Commander, 801st Infantry Brigade.

Also present to witnesses the momentous event were Brig Gen Vic C Castro AFP, Deputy Commander for Operations, Central Command, AFP; Ms. Emy C. Bonifacio, Regional PAMANA Area Manager, OPAPP; Mr. Judy Batulan, Provincial Director, DILG; P/SSupt Nolasco K. Bathan, Provincial Director, Samar PPO; Ltc Antonio B. Dulnuan, Commanding Officer, 87IB; and Ltc Siegfred Tubalado, Commanding Officer, 43IB. Likewise, the activity was graced by the different municipal mayors of the Province of Samar, heads and representatives of the different local government agencies and sectors of the society.

Hon. Sharee Ann T. Tan, Governor of Samar expressed her gratitude to the joint efforts of all stakeholders in making the Province of Samar as Peaceful and Ready for Further Development Province. She further added that the successful declaration of Samar as PDRP is also a manifestation of the Samarnon’s desire for peace and development.

It can be gleaned that through several years of combined efforts of the Armed Forces of Philippines, the Samar Police Provincial Office and the Provincial Government of Samar to combat insurgency problems, the province has gained positive results taking into account the fact that no immense armed offensives by the enemy of the state occurred for the past years. The threats posed by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CNN) in the past have been successfully addressed, thus, threats to stability, peace and order have been reduced, paving the way for development projects to eventually succeed.

The uninterrupted economic development activities spearheaded by the Provincial Government of Samar, successfully addressed the poverty-induced insurgency through multi-sectoral and peace and development projects. This was coupled by PAMANA interventions in Samar, which focused on making government felt through delivery of social services and creation of economic opportunities. The increased social participation among our stakeholders have greatly increased, resulting in increased productivity, social cohesiveness among the different sectors in the community and regained the trust and confidence of the people in the government.

Further, Peace Caravans were institutionalized as a venue for focused service delivery. All other efforts were made in cognizance of the need for a whole-of-nation approach where all sectors were made to realize the importance of pooling resources and delivering the services directly to the most vulnerable communities.

In effect, Samar municipalities were declared as Manageable Conflict Affected and Development Ready Areas. Last August 7, 2014, the Sanggunian Panlalawigan of the Province of Samar, passed Ordinance No. 14-012-14 declaring the Province of Samar as Manageable Conflict-Affected and Development-Ready Area. This is an indicator that the root causes of conflict were appropriately addressed. Winning the peace on the ground was made possible by the strengthened collaboration among various stakeholders for peace and development, and the improved capacities of a converged/ strengthened constituency.