Published on: March 22, 2023
By Samuel Candido BORONGAN CITY (PIA) -- Borongan City Mayor Dayan C. Agda spearheaded a dialogue with the families of members of the communist group held March 8 at the Headquarters of the Army's 78th Infantry Battalion, 8th Infantry Division, located in Brgy. Lalawigan, Borongan City, Eastern Samar.
Mayor Agda was joined in the said activity by the 78IB Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Allan T. Tria; 801st Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Lenart R. Lelina; and 23 families of communist group members from remote barangays in the city considered geographically depressed areas.
The forum was called, “Oryentasyon Para Hin Lokal nga Iristorya ngan Negosasyon” which aims to convince the families of the NPA members to surrender to the local government and depart from the crooked ideologies of the communist group.
In his talk, Agda highlighted the importance of peace talks and dialogues in order for the families to be informed of the benefits that await the communist members should they decide to submit themselves back to the government.
"Ini nga aton karukayakan in gi-importantihi in, ini in dire la in pagpa-uli ha ira, paghatag daman in hin roadmap kun tipakain nga direksyon hira dadad-a nga lugar, paano kita maghihingaupay nga after mag-surrender ano naman… Kinahanglan it dirudiretso it program. Ngan ini nga dayalogo in kun tipakain kita nga direksyon ngan it amon sinseridad kun gaano kami ka-committed hini nga katuyuanan hin nga katitirok nga dire na kita magka-dibider, magkaurusa na kita ngan irespeto it kada tagsa.”
(“What we are doing here right now is very important, this is not just to convince them to go back home but also to inform you, their families, of a roadmap or a direction, a continuous program waiting for them should they decide to go back home. This also shows our sincerity and our commitment to building peace and resolving conflict, as well as promoting solidarity and respect for one another.”)
Mayor Agda also discussed the proposed housing programs of the city government and 78IB and 801st Brigade. Former rebels (FRs) are the prospective beneficiaries of the said program. The city government is also willing to provide necessary agricultural livelihood assistance under the Dukwag Agrikultura program. (MMP/VTG/PIA E.Samar via BCIO)
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