Thursday, June 23, 2011

GEN CHAN receives support from SIPPAD stakeholders

The Samar Island Partnership for Peace and Development (SIPPAD) on its 17th Assembly held yesterday at Saint Mary's College expressed an all-out support to MGen Mario F. Chan's thrust to arrest the insurgency problem in his area of responsibility by building road infrastructures.

"I do not agree that we can win this war by the conduct of offensive operations. Please join us in our effort to interconnect the three provinces through the construction of circumferential and radial roads which is expected to boost the economic development within the area." says Chan during his first attendance in the SIPPAD forum.

According to Chan, the roads will facilitate the easy transport of agricultural products of producers coming from the rural areas. It would also invite more investors to come and visit the tourism potentials of Samar which, he said, is far better than those in Bohol and Cebu.

In a brief power point presentation, the Commanding General toured the SIPPAD attendees to the various areas that need immediate road construction and rehabilitation in the three provinces. Included in the presentation were actual photages of the status of roads and updates of on-going road constructions which were surveyed by the 8ID team, headed by the general himself.

Chan assured the group of positive support from the governors, congressmen, DPWH and the Department of National Defense in the pursuit of these road networks. Coordination meetings have already been facilitated. He even galdly informed about its favorable endorsement made by the Regional Development Council to the NEDA when the same proposal was presented a month ago.

In a statement of support, a parish priest from Borongan attested that projects are better accomplished, in so far as quality is concerned, when it's being undertaken by the military under its Engineering Battalions.

Chan is decisive in pursuing these road networks despite being criticized by the NDF-EV as the "road to war". This, he said, is understandable because people who have been deceived by their propaganda will now be open to the realities and opportunities of a better life outside their reins.

"These roads are the roads to further development and the roads that will end the lingering poverty in Samar" Chan added.

Given priority is the Gandara-Matuguinao road which he projects to be passable by September and the on-going construction of the San Jose de Buan road.

A resolution to this effect has been favorably considered by the SIPPAD assembly and approved for indorsement to the appropriate agencies.

Chan receives an applause of support from the stakeholders for the presentation. He was also congratulated for making the 8ID under his leadership on top of all the other Infantry Divisions of the Philippine Army nationwide for its performance.

In a related story, the SIPPAD which is a province-wide multi-sectoral assembly holds quarterly meetings to discuss issues on poverty alleviation, good governance, environment and peace and security. The three dioceses take turns in the hosting of the said forum.

During the assemblies, reports and updates on the above mentioned thematic concerns were presented.

Invited in 17th forum were personnel from the Offcie of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP). They discussed programs for the rebel returnees and strategies to reintegrate these returness to the mainstream.

The Samar Island Partnership for Peace and Development (SPPADE) gave an overview of the newly launched anti-corruption group, Multi-sectoral Alliance for Transparency and Accountability -MATA-Samar; mining and quarrying issues affecting the environment and the outputs of the Tripartite Samar DEvelopment Agenda Conference. Fr. Cesar Aculan and Ms. Emy Bonifacio shared in the presentation.

Furthermore, the Northern Samar Peace and Development Forum (NSPDF) and the Eastern Samar Peace Development Forum (ESPDF) narrated the various activities that were conducted on their respective levels.

Dr. Jimmy Sanico and Mr. Agustin Docena gave an update on the status of the Samar Island Natural Park Bill which has been pending at the House of the Representatives since the 12th congress. However, in a Committee Hearing held last June 8, the bill was approved. Considering the long process that it still has to undergo before approval, the assembly passed a resolution to personally deliver letters to the congressmen requesting for their support. The letters will be signed by the three Bishops.

The assembly was participated by at least 70 stakeholders. It was headed by Most Rev. Bishop Crispin Varquez of the diocese of Borongan. Also in attendance were Most. Rev. Bishop Isabelo Abarquez and Most Rev. Bishop Emmanuel Trance of the Dioceses of Calbayog and Catarman, respectively.

The next SIPPAD meeting, which will be hosted by the 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, is scheduled on September, this year.

(by: Emy Bonifacio)

OPAPP representatives visit 8ID

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan, Samar – This afternoon, Ms. Maggs Barrios, a representative from Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) together with her assistant visited the 8th Infantry Division for some updates on the services that their office offers.

During her visit, Ms Barrios gave emphasis on the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) Program which is about promoting peaceful and prosperous communities by reducing poverty and vulnerability, improving governance, and strengthening capacities of communities. With this progra
m, peace will be achieved through a negotiable manner.

This program which is participated by the Local Government Units (LGUs), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will be implemented in communities located in remote and far-flung barangays.

Colonel Virgilio Espineli, Assistant
Division Commander of 8ID assured the visitor that the division is very supportive of this program in order to promote peace and development in Region 8.

8ID participates the National Fun Run for Education 2011

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan, Samar – The Department of Education Region 8 headed by Dr. Alfredo D. Dacuro, the School Division Superintendent together with the different stakeholders, Local Government Units, Philippine National Police and the 51 soldiers of 8th Infantry Division led by 1LT Julie Fadchar participated the National Fun Run for Education dubbed as “Every Runner a Finisher; Every Finisher, a Winner on 19 June 2011.

The fun run started at the Samar Sports Complex going to Catbalogan City Police Station and ended up at the same complex. This activity was held to coincide with the 150th birth anniversary of Dr. Jose P. Rizal, our national hero; to raise awareness among our people that education is for everybody and no Filipino child should be left behind; and to provide an opportunity for community stakeholders to unite and manifest love for country through commitment to help the cause of education.

Dr. Dacuro expressed his profound gratitude to Major G
eneral Mario Chan, the Commander of 8th Infantry Division for his assurance of continued support and cooperation to this endeavor and for the participation of the Division in this undertaking.

127 Soldiers undergo Re-Training to Intensify ISO Campaign

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan, Samar – The 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army recently opened the Restructured Reenlistment Training (RRT) to the 127 strong soldiers held at 8ID Grandstand this morning with Major General Mario F Chan, Commander, 8ID, as the keynote speaker during the ceremony.

The 127 army soldiers coming from the different battalions and units of 8ID will undergo refresher training at the 8th Division Training Unit.

In his message, Maj Gen Chan urged the students to focus their mind to learn the Army’s core competences as embodied in the ten-in-one (10-in-1) hands on training. MGen Chan added that after this training, these soldiers will be more ready to fight and win the peace in and for the region.

Meanwhile, Gen Chan congratulated the men and women of 8ID and expressed his gratitude to all the people who have always supported the Command’s Peace and Security Operations because during his incumbency as Commander, the 8ID has earned the highest rating and delivered the most accomplishments among all Infantry Divisions of the Philippine Army.

MGen Chan Installs New CMO Chief

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan, Samar – Today, the Commander, 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army MGen Mario F Chan presided over a simple change of office ceremony held at 8ID Conference Room and installed the new Assistant Chief of Staff for Civil-Military Operations.

Ltc Joel Alejandro S Nacnac PA, the latest addition to Team 8ID assumed the position replacing Ltc Niceforo M Diaz Jr, who previously was holding two (2) concurrent positions but will remain as the Commanding Officer of the 8th Civil Military Operations Battalion of 8ID.

In his message, MGen Chan stressed to the new G7 to be more focus in planning and supervising CMO program and activities of the Command in order to strengthen and solidify the gains of the Peace and Security Operations in support to winning the peace in Eastern Visayas. MGen Chan urged the two (2) officers to work collectively and as part of Team 8ID towards the accomplishment of the mission.

“8ID joins Samar LGUs in Celebrating 113th Independence Day”

Camp Vicente Lukban, Catbalogan City – The Samar Provincial Government together with the different government agencies celebrated the 113th Philippine Independence Day at the Samar Provincial Capitol Ground this morning.

Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan Delos Santos spearheaded the celebration which was participated by the different government agencies, non-government organizations and religious sector. Col Romeo Labador, commander of 801st Infantry Brigade represented the 8th Infantry Division in the celebration.

The activity started with a field mass officiated by Rev. Jo Calderon, followed by Flag Raising Ceremony during which Governor Sharee Ann Tan delos Santos and Vice Governor Stephen James Tan gave their messages.
In her message, Gov. Tan – Delos Santos said that on her list of priority projects to be undertaken, the Catbalogan Airport and the Gandara-Matuguinao road will be the top priorities. According to her, Major General Mario Chan AFP, Commander, 8ID, PA has assured her that an Army Engineer Battalion will be tapped to assist in the construction of the road project.
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Soldiers Lead the First Flag Raising Ceremony in Schools

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan City – This morning, soldiers of the 8th Infantry Division joined the first school flag raising ceremony in the Region for school year 2011-2012. The troops donated National flags to make the ceremony even more symbolic.

During the ceremony, the teachers enjoined the soldiers to explain to the students the significance of the National flag. The soldiers emphasized that our national flag is a symbol of our freedom, independence and the democratic principles we live by and stand for and our respect for the flag is an expression of our nationalism and patriotism.

Mrs. Teresita Arasa, Teacher-in-Charge of Catbalogan 4 Central School, expressed her gratitude to the soldiers for their generosity and their commitment to uplift the consciousness of the youth.

The activity is a manifestation of 8ID’s continued support to OPLAN “Balik-Eskwela” of the Department of Education. The DepEd OPLAN calls on stakeholders from the different government agencies and representatives from the private sectors to support their program of ensuring a safe and child friendly school environment.###

8ID joins Dep-Ed Samar in OPLAN-BALIK ESKWELA 2011

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan, Samar – Today, the 8ID and other government and non-government representatives joined in OPLAN BALIK ESKWELA 2011 Convergence Meeting hosted by the Department of Education in Samar which was held at Redaja Hall, Catbalogan City.

This conference intends to coordinate with the other agencies in preparation of the opening of classes. The other agencies which actively participated in this conference were the Philippine National Police, SAMELCO II, Department of Interior Local Government Unit, Department of Trade and Industry, Samar Provincial Hospital, Bureau of Fire Protection and Local Government Unit.

Dr. Edita S. De Veyra, Assistant Division School Superintendent said that the opening of classes is not only the concern of Dep-Ed but all other agencies. She also encouraged them to perform their duties and responsibilities as part of this activity.

Lieutenant Colonel Niceforo Diaz said that the 8th Infantry Division has previously supported and will continue to support the DepEd Program in Samar.

Right after the inter-agency reports, the Signing of Pledge of Commitment was also conducted to show the sincerity of all stakeholders.###

LGU-Samar extends support to wounded soldier

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan, Samar – Recently, Cpl Maximo Soliva, a wounded soldier of the 83rd Division Reconnaissance Company of the 8th Infantry Division Philippine Army received financial assistance from the Local Government Unit of Samar through the office of Hon. Governor Sharee Ann Tan Delos Santos. The soldier got wounded while his unit was surveying a Barangay in Basey, Samar on 29 May.

The troops were in the area as a response to a request from the local office of the Department of Tourism to promote and develop undiscovered tourist spots in the Province. Samar Island is the next frontier of tourism in Region 8.Inter-agency cooperation among the Local Government Units, Non-Government Organizations, and the 8th Infantry Division is a continuing effort that aims to produce more benefits and in the end uplift the socio-economic status of the Region.###

8ID: NDF-EV could not stop development of Samar Island

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan City – Unquestionably, “Samar Island currently lags in terms of economic development compared to its neighbouring provinces. It has been the trend for so many years until the pronouncement of the RDC 8 Chairman Gov. Petilla and the passing of the resolution during the last meeting on 20 May this year, that the road projects interconnecting the three provinces of Samar will be the priority of the council. These road projects are the keys to peace and development of Samar Island that will alleviate lives of the people and will free them from the tyrant group of NDF-EV’s spokesman Mr. Santiago Salassays Major General Mario Chan, commander of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division.

Major General Chan is a stalwart partner of the local government units and strong advocate for the immediate construction and rehabilitation of the different roads and bridges throughout the region for he firmly believes that infrastructure projects precede sustainable economic growth. As Commander of the 8th Infantry Division, General Chan is committed to accomplish his mandate to protect the people, bring peace and security and stability and sustain development in Region 8.

While different government and non-government organizations are working hand-in-hand to realize the projects, the National Democratic Front-Eastern Visayas (NDF-EV) is continuously tagging “them as anti-insurgency and militarization of the region in the guise of pursuing peace and order but actually a way to running after the NPAs”-the armed group that the NDF protects.

It can be recalled that when General Chan announced his proposal to the different stakeholders and civil society group about these road projects that will pave the way to regional development, 8ID has become the focal point of the NDF’s propaganda campaign and malicious attack.

In the six paragraph press release by NDF-EV that was published in Samar News.com on May 21, 2011, Mr. Santiago Salas, the “defrocked” priest turned NDF-EV’s spokesman calls the development project in Samar a “road to war”. Salas consistently speaks out loud in order to block the project by deceptively interceding and calling out for the people to support him capitalizing the issue that US is at the back of these projects.

General Chan described the report as a total disgrace to the desire of the people to live with the standards of life. He even categorically declared the allegations of NDF-EV to be baseless and immaterial.

“8ID and the different agencies continuously supporting the road projects are not connected with the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). Even the funds that will be used are not coming from any foreign organizations. It just happened that MCC has a similar project in the province which was already pronounced early last year and which I think will also help our province to move forward. I feel pity for Mr. Salas; he is desperately doing anything just to prevent development and the imminent defeat of the NPA bandits he protects” Chan proclaimed.

General Chan also disproved Salas’ claim that these projects only serve for military purposes. Isn’t it an advantage for our people to facilitate transport of their goods from the production area to the market, do business and give them chance to prosper? Definitely, the projects have significance to military operations. Perhaps a very minimal percentage compared to the opportunity the projects proffer for development and prosperity in the Island of Samar.

Governor Paul Daza of Northern Samar also perceived positively with the good General’s 4.6 billion pesos proposed road projects. In his letter reply to General Chan’s letter request to support the proposal, Gov Daza affirmed that the road projects are really for the development and prosperity of the people of Samar.

“These road projects will open-up socio-economic activities between provinces and among towns located in the interior part of Samar Island and it will provide access to the delivery of basic social services as well as It will bring about opportunities in production, trade and processing thereby maximizing the utilization of existing facilities like seaports of Catbalogan, San Isidro and Calbayog City. It will also contribute to the peace and order efforts of the government as these interior municipalities of Samar Island are considered conflict-afflicted areas,” the good governor says.

The ultimate purpose of these projects is for the development of Samar while for peace and order is just secondary.

Salas even mocked the “Bayanihan” culture of the Filipinos and called it as “US inspired”. Is Salas ignorant that “Bayanihan” is a virtue that is expected of an individual Filipino by joining hands to do tough job a lot easier? Salas only proves that he is against Filipino culture and tradition that is valued by generations. Is in it disrespectful to our human rights? Well it is obvious.

“Claiming that IPSP “Bayanihan” is targeting the social activists and supporters of local terrorist group, Salas is in a total day dreaming because what the 8ID is looking after is only the New People’s Army (NPA) bandits”, adds General Chan.

Calling these road projects as violations of human rights, Salas is totally deceiving our people to what human rights are. NDF-EV is the one depriving our people of their rights by preventing the construction of roads that will give our people a more decent life. Our people have the right to acquire the full access to our government to deliver basic services and to live freely away from harm and fear. Now, who is violating our people’s right? Is it the Army pursuing the road projects for development or the CPP-NPA-NDF who are not doing anything but to criticize the government serving the people like a dog barking on his own caretakers? Again it is obvious.

“Salas calls the road projects as ‘road to war’. Yes it is in a better perspective. It is a road to war against poverty. It will be the main weapon in combating poverty, bringing food on our people’s table and giving them the most decent life that every people of Samar ever dreamed of.” says General Chan.

Development in Samar is the choice of the people, not by the 8ID. These projects have already been included in the development plan of Region 8 even before General Chan assumed as the commander of 8ID. The role played by the Army in the realization of these projects was just to propose them to be put on top of the priorities. It is the people of Samar not the military are the one who wanted to have roads. Why don’t we give those services to them?

The consistent attempts of NDV-EV to stop these road projects in Samar Island only leaves certainty that the development will point towards the ultimate downfall of the NPA bandits and the group of Mr Salas.

But General Chan is positive that no one can stop the people from progressing. Not even the selfish desire of the Communist Party of the Philippines to grab power, the lies of the National Democratic Front, the terror being carried out by the New People’s Army, the eloquent wordings of Mr. Salas who keep on barking at the crowd with his tails wrapped-in to him and even by vicious claim of some people vested in personal interest.

General Chan once again encouraged the people, members of the POs, CSOs, NGOs and other organizational sectors including the media, to unite and work hand in hand to instil to our people’s mind that the government is doing this for benefit once and for all. He further said that Samar Island is left far behind than other provinces and the same problem will be inherited by the upcoming generations if it will not be abated.

The road they are claiming as “road to war” is the road that will be used by our misguided brothers (CPP-NPA) in coming back to the folds of the law for the attainment of a lasting peace, thus it is actually a road to peace.

As General Chan always says “There is no happiness and satisfaction derived from killing NPA rebels, only desperation. The real sense of fulfilment comes in embracing a rebel back to the folds of law and help him become productive and contented citizen of this country.”

“For the sake of peace and development, we advise the members of the lawless NPA to go to the nearest Mayor and negotiate for your surrender. Join us in the pursuit of genuine peace in our region and our government has best plan not only for you but also for your family,” General Chan concludes. ###

8ID-LGU Eastern Samar Partnership Yields New Training Facility

Camp Lukban, Catbalogan City – The 8th Infantry Division has inaugurated today a new training facility at its Headquarters in Camp Lukban, Catbalogan City. Major General Mario F Chan AFP, Division Commander, said that the construction of the new facility that will serve as billet for personnel undergoing training was made possible through the support of Honorable Conrado B Nicart Jr., Governor of Eastern Samar.

The inauguration ceremony was held in conjunction with the formal opening of the Philippine Army Candidate Soldier Course Class 273-11with Governor Nicart Jr as Guest of Honor and Speaker.In his speech before the 121 new candidate soldiers, Gov. Nicart Jr urged them to accept the challenges that they will face. He told them his experience when he underwent military training to become a member of the former Philippine Constabulary to inspire the candidate soldiers.These candidate soldiers are aged 18 to 26 years old. They all come from the major islands of the country with 88 from the Visayas, 15 from Mindanao, and 18 from Luzon. Notable among these candidates are two Registered Nurses who aspire to join the enlisted rank of the Philippine Army.With this new facility from strong inter-agency efforts and more competent recruits, Major General Chan said that the Division looks forward to a brighter vision of development in Region 8.###