PROVINCIAL Task Force-Elcac (PTF-Elcac) and Guihulngan City Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (GCTF-Elcac), together with the Philippine Army, Philippine National Police and Provincial Government agencies, launched the "Dagyawan sa Barangay" Talakayan at Serbisyo Caravan Para sa Mamamayan to the five Elcac barangays in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental.
The activity was held at the covered court in Barangay Balugo, Guihulngan City on January 20, 2021.
It benefitted over 1,974 Guihulnganons coming from the different barangays, namely: Balogo, Plagatasanon, Villegas, Nagsaha, and Poblacion.
This Dagyawan sa Barangay was first launched in Barangay Balugo on July 21, 2020 and now in Guihulngan for its GCTF-Elcac's 13th Dagyawan sa Barangay.
The activity was participated by the PTF-Elcac headed by Silvestre Tiongson, Executive Assistant III, a representative from the Governor's Office-Negros Oriental; Guihulngan City Task Force-Elcac headed by Mayor Carlo George Joan L. Reyes; Colonel Leonardo I. Peña, commanding officer of 302nd Brigade; Colonel Michael G. Samson, acting commanding officer of 303rd Brigade; Lieutenant Colonel Melvin Flores, commanding officer of 62nd Infantry (Unifier) Battalion; Maridel Gamo, CLGOO; Police Lieutenant Crisanto G. Areglo, deputy chief of Guihulngan police; Provincial Local Government Agencies (PLGA), and other agencies.
The different agencies also offered free services like medical checkups, consultations, medicines, circumcision, civil registration, haircut, deworming, vaccination for livestock, seedlings, and fertilizers.
The activity was highlighted by a workshop, participated by the five barangays.
Issues were raised and the concerned agencies pledged their commitment and formulated possible steps for faster delivery of basic services and resolution to the issues.
Meanwhile, Mayor Reyes lauded Samson of the 303 Infantry Brigade and Peña for their effort in Guihulngan City.
He said "peace should start from the barangay. The barangay official should cooperate with our Philippine Army and PNP to achieve peace. You have a government that will always be ready to support your needs, especially for your livelihood. I am glad that the TF-Elcac was created in Guihulngan City, which gives me hope to achieve the peace and development of our city. Mark my word, time will come when poverty in Guihulngan City is eliminated."
Flores, for his part, expressed his gratitude to members of the provincial and Guihulngan City TF-Elcac for implementing the Dagyawan sa Barangay, saying the activity "contributed well in addressing the grassroots of insurgency."
"I look forward to the sustainment of this holistic activity. Let us empower the Barangay Task Force-Elcac to support the City TF-Elcac and for the success of the NTF-Elcac. Let us collectively achieve what is written on these papers and make things happen. Thank you and let's go Guihulngan City," he said.