Northern Samar guv declares 5 towns as manageable conflict-affected and development ready areas

By DPAO, 8ID PA
October 19, 2013

CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan, Samar – Five towns of Northern Samar were declared Manageable Conflict-Affected and Development Ready Area (MCA-DRA) by the Northern Samar Governor in a ceremony held last October 17, 2013 at the Provincial Governor’s official residence in Catarman, Northern Samar.

The towns of Allen, Biri, Capul, San Antonio and San Vicente were declared by the Governor Jose L. Ong Jr. as MCA-DRA. Present during the declaration were: Hon Gary M. Lavin, Vice Governor of Northern Samar; Hon. Rudy S Baguioso, Municipal Mayor of San Antonio; Hon. Isidro Badal, Municipal Mayor of Capul; Hon. Antonio Delos Reyes, Municipal Mayor of Biri; Hon. Tito M Luńeza, Municipal Mayor of San Vicente and Hon. Rod Lauren D. Suan, Municipal Mayor of Allen.

Also present were representatives from AFP and PNP led by BGen Jet B Velarmino AFP, Commander of 8th Infantry Division; BGen Rolando C Malinao AFP, Commander, 803rd Infantry Brigade; PSSupt Teodoro J Basa, Deputy Regional Director for Operations, PRO8 and PSSupt Abraham G. Lenaming, Director of Northern Samar Police Provincial Office.

These towns which recorded zero NPA activity for the past several years are located in the north western tip of Northern Samar. Except for the municipality of Allen, the four other towns are island municipalities of Northern Samar.

The declaration augurs well for the said municipalities and signals that they are ready for development. Governor Ong in his message said: “The significance of this occasion goes beyond the assurance that the constituents of these municipalities can live happier in these secured areas. The absence of insurgency is vitally more significant as it will pave the way for the launching of more development projects.”