Army to play active role in regional development, new 8ID Chief assures

By ELI C. DALUMPINES, (PIA Samar)
August 17, 2006

CATBALOGAN, Samar – The newly-installed Commanding General of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division based in Camp Vicente Lukban here at Samar’s capital assured that the army under his command will continue to play an active role in regional development.

MGen. Rodrigo F. Maclang, who assumed post as the new 8ID chief in a simple turn-over ceremony Wednesday, has directed all army units in the division to assist the local government units in the region to ensure that the programs of government, especially those that are development-oriented, will not be hindered.

"Today, I am publicly issuing my first command directive: All units shall extend the necessary assistance to the developmental initiatives of all local government units within the operational jurisdiction of the 8th Infantry Division," Gen. Maclang said.

"I am convinced that through our active and concerted effort, we can attain an increased level of security towards peace and progress in this region," Gen. Maclang stressed.

The new 8ID chief likewise called on all sectors to help the local government officials in addressing the root causes of poverty and insurgency.

This call was in response to President Arroyo’s statement during her state of the nation address last July 24 recognizing the important role the local government officials are playing in addressing the country’s 38-year old insurgency.

According to him, economic development in this part of the country has, for four decades now, slowed down. This he blamed to the presence of the communist insurgents which, he said, placed our country into a "quagmire of woes".

Gen. Maclang, however, issued a call to the insurgents to join the government in establishing a more progressive future instead of wasting their skills, intelligence and energy to another 40 years of futile effort.

"Help us expand progress from the urban areas to the countryside, instead of waging insurgency to the cities from the countryside," the new 8ID chief said referring to the classic enemy strategy of "encirclement".