Newly registered associations await projects, assistance

By 19th Infantry Battalion, 8ID PA
May 26, 2013

KANANGA, Leyte – The 19th Infantry Battalion said the military will continue to assist the fisher folks and farmers groups of Leyte’s Calubian and San Isidro towns until projects are implemented.

Lt. Col. Joel Alejandro Nacnac, commanding officer of 19IB, revealed that priority projects were finally identified and agreed upon by the members of said farmers and fisher folks associations when consultation was made by an eight-man military envoy in the hinterland barangays of Calubian and San Isidro this week. Sustainable means of livelihood for farmers and fisher folks and water and electrification systems are among the priorities of the said groups.

The envoy was also tasked to formally hand over the much-awaited certificates of registration of the said associations which were issued by the Department of Labor and Employment-Western Leyte Field Office based in Ormoc City.

Mr. Ruben Roche, president of the Taglawigan Fisherfolks Association said the certificate of registration issued by DOLE is already an assurance that appropriate government projects and funds may be downloaded to the association.

Roche likewise expressed his gratitude to the 19th Infantry Battalion and 802nd Infantry Brigade under Col. Rafael Valencia who initiated efforts and resources to fast track the release of the associations’ certificate of registration.

Lt. Col. Nacnac said that these newly registered associations were formerly under the “Samahan sa Mag-uuma sa Calubian” (SAMACA) and “Kahugpungan sa Mag-uuma sa San Isidro” (KAMAS), both known to be organized by the New People’s Army and struggled for parcel of land to till from the hacienderos.

“The military will see to it that the concerns of our farmers and fisher folks will be addressed immediately by appropriate government agencies,” Lt. Col. Nacnac concluded.