FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija –The Local Government Unit (LGU) of Quirino, Ilocos Sur; the Department of Agriculture (DA); and troops of 69th Infantry Battalion (69IB), 7th Infantry Division (7ID), Philippine Army (PA) turned over P1.8M worth of farm equipment to former rebels and mass supporters belonging to 12 People’s Organizations (POs) in the said municipality last December 9, 2022.
The POs that received one hand tractor each and other farm equipment are Lugacan Farmers Association, Baybayatin Harvesters Association, Bucnit Farmers Association, Cabaroan Foundation Association, Barakbak Farmers Association, Bucsed Farmers Association, Patungcaleo Farmers Association, Lower Madapoy Farmers Association, Upper Madapoy Farmers Association, and Samahang Magsasaka ng Upper MadapoyFarmers Association.
Other POs that benefitted are Patiacan Farmers Association and Balas-iyan Farmers Association.
All individual beneficiaries are former members and mass supporters of the Communist Party of the Philipines- New People’s Army- National Democraric Front (CPP-NPA-NDF); and are now supporters of peace and development efforts of the government through the efforts of soldiers from 69IB, 7ID, PA.
The distribution of 12 units of hand tractors with tools and accessories to the POs aims to help the beneficiaries in rebuilding their lives as they reintegrate to their communities.
The project is a result of the continuous collaboration of Mobile Community Support Sustainment Team of 69IB with Line Government Agencies (LGA), LGU- Quirino and other concerned agencies in enhancing the living condition of former rebels towards a peaceful and conflict-resilient community.
“Patuloy nating bibigyang prayoridad ang pagpapaabot ng suporta sa ating magsasaka, sapagkat sila po ang pangunahing nagsusumikap na matugunan ang pangangailangan natin sa pagkain,” said Municipal Mayor Allen Nemo.
Lt. Col. Marcelo Valdez, Commanding Officer, 69IB on the other hand, assured the commitment and support of soldiers to all partner-stakeholders in the pursuit of delivering basic and necessary services especially to the most vulnerable sectors in the community.
Maj. Gen. Andrew Costelo PA, Commander, 7ID, lauded the partner-stakeholders in the effort to help farmers increase their income and expressed strong support to continuously improve their livelihood.
