Army, Police, LGU to spearhead Community Support Program

Through convergence efforts, the Army, Police, and the Municipal Government of Siayan, ZDN will spearhead two (2) separate Community Support Programs (CSP) in the hinterland barangays of Pange and Macasing, Siayan, ZDN after the opening of CSP training held August 3.

The CSP teams were composed of personnel from 53rd Infantry (MATAPAT) Battalion, 547th Engineer (AGILA) Battalion, and policemen from Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Police Office (ZNPPO).

Siayan mayor Hon. Josecor Gepolongca was invited to be the Guest of Honor and Speaker in the said CSP Training opening ceremony.

In his message, Mayor Gepolongca commended the 53rd IB and said that this will further encourage the constituents to cooperate with the Government.

“We commend the  efforts of 53rd IB headed by Lt. Col Herrera in fighting against the Communist-NPA terrorists. We hope that this CSP deployment will be fruitful and further encourage our constituents to cooperate,” said Hon. Gepolongca.

Barangays Pange and Macasing are known to be safe heavens of Communist-NPA terrorists in Siayan town.

Meanwhile, 53rd IB Commander Lt. Col. Jo-ar A Herrera emphasized that convergence is the key to attain lasting peace.

“Through convergence, we hope to deliver basic and government services to these hinterland barangays and eventually, end the communist terrorism in the area,” said Lt. Col. Herrera.

The CSP teams will determine the issues in the said barangays and facilitate convergence efforts with various line government agencies (LGAs) to address the said issues.