FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija – The Local Government Unit of Maria Aurora, led by Mayor Ariel Bitong , Office of the Provincial Agriculturist headed by Arnold B. Novicio along with Lt. Col. Julito B. Recto Jr., commanding officer of 91st IB, awarded livelihood assistance to three People’s Organizations last Tuesday, March 14.
The 91st Infantry (Sinagtala) Battalion (91IB) facilitated the awarding of livelihood assistance to Dianawan Upland Farmers Association amounting to Php30,000 and Buloy Upland Farmers Association worth Php35,000 at the Mayor’s Office. Further, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist extended 3,000 tilapia fingerlings to Sambayanan Association through the efforts of 91IB.
Said initiative was part of the unit’s programs and commitment which aims to support the POs by extending income-generating opportunities that will help them to become self-reliant and productive members of the community.
Lt. Col. Recto Jr. thanked Mayor Bitong for his support to his constituents by appropriating funds for the programs and ensured that his unit will continuously monitor and give necessary interventions to assess the progress and development of the POs’ livelihood projects.
On his part, Mayor Bitong said that the government will continuously coordinate and strengthen their efforts in order to provide livelihood and necessary programs to all the communities that are formerly affected by armed conflict.
“Kami sa LGU ay tiyak na tumutugon, sana ay makatulong ito sa inyo at maging kapakipakinabang. Ang pintuan ng gobyerno ay palaging bukas para sa mga nangangailangan lalo na sa mga nagbabalik loob,” Mayor Bitong said.
Meanwhile, Buloy Upland Farmer Association President Bobby Nevada Buloy and Dianawan Upland Farmers Association President Rubelyn Valiete both expressed their gratitude to the soldiers and Mayor Bitong for their efforts in helping their group.
“Sana po ay mas marami pa silang matulungang magsimula at bumangon, lalo na sa tulad naming minsan nang nawala sa landas at naniwala sa mga mapanlinlang na teroristang grupo. Tiyak po na ang mga tulong na ito ay magiging kapakipakinabang at magiging daan naming sa pagbabagong buhay” Valiete said.
Major General Andrew D. Costelo, commander of the 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division, Philippine Army lauded the continued support of the soldiers and the local government unit of Maria Aurora to the People’s Organizations that are thriving to improve their economic situation.
“Attaining an insurgency-free community truly requires collaborative efforts and convergence. This activity is a proof that with collaboration and committed efforts, projects and programs that are intended to former CTG Influenced and Affected Areas will surely come into realization. Such efforts will surely gain the trust of the people and eventually make them productive and self-reliant members of the community,” he emphasized.
