Peace caravan helps indigent residents in Carigara villages

By 19th Infantry Battalion, 8ID PA
September 30, 2015

KANANGA, Leyte – The Leyte Provincial Peace and Order Council have brought basic social services within indigent resident’s grasp, in a Peace Caravan for selected barangays in Carigara, Leyte on Saturday, September 26.

Lieutenant Prolen Bonacua, the Civil Military Operations Officer of the 19th Infantry Battalion said its office listed 617 beneficiaries of the various programs and services laid by provincial government, the military, police and other line government agencies and NGOs at Brgy. Caghalo in Carigara town.

The beneficiaries came from seven barangays namely: Caghalo, Upper Hiraan, Canlampay, Hiluctugan, Libo, Pangna and Baruguhay Sur who availed of free medical, dental and optical services, medicines, medical consultation for senior citizens, seeds dispersal and deworming shots for livestock, reading glasses, grooming services and at least 500 pairs of slippers.

Also part of the activity was the presentation and awarding of basic financial assistance to two (2) former members of the New Peoples Army. Each received check worth P25,000.00 from the Leyte Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) as reward for their surrender and return to the folds of law.

The Peace Caravan likewise includes advocacy dialogue of the primary programs and services of the Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture and Department of Health.

Peace Caravan according to Col. Dinoh Dolina, commander of the 802nd Infantry Brigade is a convergence of government services with an objective of helping depressed communities such as areas affected by conflicts, particularly by lawless armed groups.

In like manner, Ms. Imelda Bonifacio, the Area Manager of the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) in Eastern Visayas described the activity as among the highlights of National Peace Consciousness Month celebrated this September.

This years’ National Peace Consciousness Month is celebrated with the theme: “Pagkakaisa Tungo sa Patuloy na Kapayapaan at Kaunlaran”.

Police and military personnel from the 802nd Infantry Brigade, 19th Infantry Battalion and 82nd Civil Military Operations Company were also dispatched to assist the Leyte Caravan Team particularly in securing and hauling the beneficiaries en route for and from the caravan’s venue.

Barangays who benefitted the Peace Caravan were among the communities in Leyte where Bayanihan Team Activities (BTA) of the military are presently being conducted.

In a statement, Lt. Col. Reymondo Delgado, Acting Commanding Officer of 19IB said he is hopeful that social issues in villages with Bayanihan Team Activities will be addressed if basic services are effectively delivered.