19th IB pushes peace, development dialogues in Carigara villages

By 19th Infantry Battalion, 8ID PA
March 13, 2012

CARIGARA, Leyte  –  In order to enrich the culture of peace within the hearts and minds of every constituent, the Army’s 19th Infantry (Commando) Battalion through its Barangay Peace and Development Organizing Teams (BPDOT) launched on March 11 a Peace Forum at Brgy. Upper Sogod of this town.

It was learned from Lt. Col. Joel Alejandro S. Nacnac, commanding officer of 19th IB that he recently deployed the Barangay Peace and Development Teams to conduct the first-ever Peace Forum in the barangays of Carigara.

A Peace Forum is a multi-sectoral initiative to have a whole of society approach in solving conflict issues. It is a conflict resolution activity where people are given the opportunity to discuss and take action on the most important issues affecting peace in their own communities.

“This activity is about understanding both the simple and profound meaning of peace as far government agencies are concerned. We bring in the representatives of the different agencies so that the people would know the services of our government”, Nacnac said.

Nacnac also said having an initial attendance of about a hundred residents who actively participated the launching of the program is a good start for a team of soldiers who have just stayed a week in the barangay. He stressed that soldiers indeed were able to establish harmonious relation with the civilians in Brgy. Upper Sogod.

The Peace Forum includes a workshop, an activity which requires the participants to answer few basic questions about peace and development. This was followed with the ceremonial signing of the participants’ commitment to advocate peace and development initiatives of their community. Eventually, the participants concurred that absence of peace is a hindrance towards development.

According to the speakers of the forum, peace comes in various meanings.

Ms. Ma. Concepcion Javines, principal of Sogod Elementary School discussed that peace could be achieved when discipline is developed among children because they are the future leaders of the nation.

Mr. Ronnie Acebedo of DILG-Carigara and SPO4 Basalla of the Carigara Municipal Police Station both agree that peace is manifested when services are delivered and when citizens obey the law.

On the other hand, Rev. Fr. Ivan Petilos, of the Holy Spirit Parish remarked that peace can be achieved when “man fears God” as he discussed the direction of the Catholic Church on the implementation of the Basic Ecclesial Community (BEC).

Nacnac said that the presence of the military forces is neither a threat nor an implication that there’s conflict in the barangays. He concluded that Peace Forum is a step towards achieving lasting peace and development.