HUNDREDS of residents of the far-flung Barangay Quintin Remo in Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental availed of government services during the first leg of “Marching for Peace, Serving the Countryside” program in southern Negros Tuesday.
Services included medical and dental as well as distribution of medicines, relief goods and food packs and livelihood supplies.
The residents of Quintin Remo headed by village chief Felisa Villaflor expressed their appreciation to Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. who led the launching of the 12-day activity that will also be conducted in four other remote villages of other localities in the Fifth District.
The governor lauded the village residents for their strength of will, and encouraged the parents to prioritize the education of their children as a way to combat poverty.
The “Marching for Peace, Serving the Countryside” is a joint project of the Provincial Government, the Philippine Army through the 303rd Infantry Brigade and the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office under the Provincial Peace Integration and Development Unit (Pro-PIDU).
It also involves all local government units in the Fifth District and various departments of the provincial government, national government agencies and non-government organizations.
Troopers of the Philippine Army led by Col. Jon Aying, commander of the 303rd IB, and members of the Philippine National Police headed by Senior Supt. Milko Lirazan, director of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, marched from Barangay Puso, La Castellana to Barangay Quintin Remo, Moises Padilla to show the government’s sincerity in reaching out to the marginalized sector through a civic activity.
Other officials who showed support were Fifth District Rep. Alejandro Mirasol, Moises Padilla Mayor Ella Celestina Yulo, Vice Mayor Edwin Presquito, Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator Ma. Lina Sanogal, and Provincial Engineer Ernie Mapa.
The four other villages that will benefit from the civic action are Barangay San Agustin, Isabela, June 19; Barangay Biao, Binalbagan, June 21; Barangay Carabalan, Himamaylan City, June 23; and Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City, June 26.
A peace rally will be held at the Himamaylan City Public Plaza on June 26, 6 p.m., to culminate the 12-day activity. (NLG)