Empowering Communities: Army, LGU Work Together to Set Priorities, Services in Dumingag Hinterlands
To show that the government is genuinely taking care of the people in remote areas in the hinterlands, the Philippine Army’s 53rd Infantry “MATAPAT” Battalion (53IB) in partnership with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur conducted Community Engagement activities in the far-flung Purok 1-2 Barangay Dapiwak on March 18-22, 2021.
The activities included loudspeaker operations, recruitment of Barangay Intelligence Network, discussions of ELCAC and E-CLIP, distribution of transistor radios and sacks of rice, distribution of leaflets against CPP-NPA recruitment, and feeding program for the children.The Matapat Troopers also organized Barangay Tanod Patrols and election of officers of organized Habal-habal drivers to facilitate communications and monitor any movement of CTGs.
“The community engagement activities in Barangay Dapiwak intend to win the hearts and minds of the people and to show them that they are important. We also intend to convince the families of those who are still supportive of Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs),” 53IB Charlie Company 2Lt. Magno Relado Jr. said.“
“We also discussed with them about the government programs and projects to let spread awareness among them that they are not forgotten or disregarded as claimed by deceptive CTGs,” 2Lt. Relado said.
“The Philippine Army is always ready to extend assistance and serve the people especially in remote areas in the hinterlands,” 53IB Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Jo-ar Herrera said.The Matapat Troopers also conducted a Flag Raising Ceremony to encourage the residents to show respect to our National Flag and counter CTGs propaganda to turn them away from the communist movement.
The activities were coordinated with Dumingag Mayor Joan Abejuela and spearheaded by Dapiwak Barangay Council Members and Officials: Dionisio Raval; Jorie Maglasang, Virgilio Yu, and Rene Sumaklao.
