53IB, NIA-9 Hold NTF-ELCAC Forum

The Philippine Army’s 53rd Infantry “MATAPAT” Battalion (53IB) in partnership with the National Irrigation Administration Region 9 (NIA-9) conducted a forum about the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) during the Regional Management Conference (RMC) at NIA-9 Headquarters in Tawagan Norte, Labangan Zamboanga del Sur on March 10, 2021.

53IB Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Herrera expounded on the government’s campaign in ending local communist armed conflict in the Province of Zamboanga del Sur and also delivered a lecture on Strategic Communication insights for NIA Region 9’s Irrigation Management Offices (IMO) and Regional Sub-offices (RSO) including 36 attendees from Chief of Field Offices from IMOs of Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, ZAMBASULTA and Zamboanga del Norte RSO.

Lt. Col. challenged the NIA-9 personnel to be actively involved in the government’s peace and security initiatives. “It is our shared responsibility to maintain peace and security in our area of operations. Let us do our part in sustaining the gains we have achieved to end the local communist armed conflict in our province,” Lt. Col. Herrera said

“We are very privileged to learn the standards when it comes to techniques and delivering presentations and we are also grateful to hear from the 53IB about the NTF-ELCAC. Here in NIA, we fully support the campaign of the Government to end the local communist armed conflict, “ NIA-9 Manager Engr. Manuel Rañeses said.

“I am looking forward to a strong partnership with the 53IB for our collective goal to end local communist armed conflict,” NIA-9 Division Manager for Engineering and Operations Gen. Mayoralgo Dela Cruz (Ret.) said.