401st army brigade chief gets wind of peace talks
resumption
By Greg Tataro, Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, April 6 (PIA) - The
commander of the 401st Infantry (Unity) Brigade of the Philippine Army (PA)
based in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur admitted to have come to know about the
plan of President Rodrigo Duterte to resume peace talks with the CPP-NPA-NDF.
However, Col. Andres Centino said they had yet to
receive official word from higher headquarters of any development.
“We have yet to receive the formal directives
coming from our higher headquarters,” he stressed when reached for comment,
explaining the need for further “instructions to field units in Caraga” once
the effort would push through.
The army official, whose area of operation covers
the southern part of Surigao del Sur on top of Agusan del Sur, added that his
command would be looking forward to a “definite guidance” once everything could
be firmed up.
Centino said he would not want to “pre-empt” any
steps in this regard but based on past experience in the early phase on the
matter under the Duterte administration, there had been declaration of
ceasefire until it reached a “breakdown on February 4, 2017” due to gross
violations on the side of the armed wing.
Meanwhile, Centino assured that while awaiting
progress “security operations had to keep going.”
Also, the brigade chief was glad to report of the
gains of Community Support Program (CSP), citing the recent series of
surrenders and triumphs that had caused major setbacks on the enemy side.
(Radyo Pilipinas-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
Feature: From withered past to bountiful future: a
Gulayan sa Barangay story
By Joana Rica Millam
It was an ordinary day for Jonnie. The gleaming
glow of the sun infused his sun-kissed skin as he gets ready for battle –
harvest time.
It was not always a smooth-sailing ride for the
members of the Pinagalaan Vegetable Growers Association (PINAVEGRA).
Cultivating a 1.5-hectare privately-owned land, situated in Barangay
Pinagalaan, Bayugan City was a challenging duty for them.
Withered past
Established four years ago (2014), the association
started with 30 committed members aiming to become one of the vegetable
producers in the “cut-flower capital of the Agusan del Sur” – Bayugan City. But
the odds were not in their favor for they failed in their previous parcel,
which discouraged other members.
“Sukad ato, nawad-an og gana ang uban miyembro.
Gikan sa 30, nahimo nalang mi og pito. Grabe to nga pagsulay (Since then, other
members lost their interest. From 30, we decreased to seven. It was a great
trial),” Jonnie Guyo, PINAVEGRA president, got slightly emotional as he
reminisced their withered past.
New niche to nourish
Though it seem too hard to recover from their
failure, the seven members remained steadfast. Their perseverance paid off with
a new beginning – a new niche to nourish.
Joahna Legada, the association’s secretary, agreed
that after every rain, there is always a rainbow. “Bisan ug napakyas mi, wala
nawala ang among paglaum para sa grupo. Sa among pagpaningkamot, nahatagan kami
ug ganti (Despite our failure, our hopes still remained for our group. Because
of our hard work, we were given a reward,” she proudly shared.
Compassionate linkages
Their
dedication opened doors of opportunities on skills development. When a
non-government organization known as Winrock International launched the
Philippine Cold Chain (PCC) Project, they were invited to learn about organic
farming, with all expenses paid. Through the East-West Seed corporation, they
underwent field schooling once a week for six months. Their knowledge on
farming escalated – performing various demonstrations, improving quality
yields, and managing finances.
Compassionate government agencies also provided
vast avenues for the association. “Mapasalamaton mi sa mga ahensya sa gobyerno
nga naghatag namo og oportunidad. Usa na ang Department of Agriculture nga
gipaadto mi sa Bukidnon ug Iligan aron makakat-on sa saktong pamaagi sa
pagpananum (We are grateful to the government agencies for the opportunities.
The Department of Agriculture sent us to Bukidnon and Iligan for us to learn
the right way of cultivating),” Jonnie smiled with a grateful heart.
Aside from technical trainings and seminars, they
were also educated on bio-intensive gardening through the Family Development
Session (FDS) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, as the
association is composed of partner-beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang
Pilipino Program.
Bountiful future
Through the initiative of the Program, they
(partner-beneficiaries) created a “Gulayan sa Barangay” or communal garden to
promote nutrient sufficiency, food security/stability, and a sense of
community.
Their communal garden now yields bountiful harvest
with various organic vegetables on sight – bell peppers, eggplants, tomatoes,
scallions, and lettuces. They are now considered as one of the vegetable
producers in Bayugan City with production market in the neighboring towns or
cities such as Butuan and Surigao. On their first cropping, their income
amounted to Php38,000 which made them more fervent to perform their duties as
vegetable growers. This served as a venue that encouraged an additional 10
members in their association
It was a real tough but rewarding four years for
the PINAVEGRA partner-beneficiaries. They were splashed with huge waves of
disappointments and hit rock-bottom, but they stood still and set high hopes
for their association.
As Jonnie looks back while watching the twilight
fill the sky and their baskets full, he is now ready to lead his team and face
whatever battle the odds may give, as he awaits for the bountiful future. (DSWD-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
