903rd Infantry Brigade Philippine Army conducts 'Ugnayan sa Barangay", a developmental peace building initiative

By Irma A. Guhit

SORSOGN CITY, Feb. 15 (PIA)…. The 903^rd Infantry Brigade Philippine Armybased in Castilla here headed by Col. Felix J. Castro, Jr. conducted the Ugnayan sa Barangay  (USB) last  Saturday at Brgy. Cabarbuhan , district of Bacon,  Sorsogon City particularly to inform the constituency of the assistance that will be provided by the ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya Foundation Inc.headed by Ms. Tina Monzon Palma , the construction of a one unit two-classroom school building within the first semester of this year.

Col. Castro said that the peace building initiatives that the government has been implementing through the National Development Plan is anchored on the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and goal number 1 and 2 which is the eradication of poverty and implementation of complete primary education program has been the two goals that their entity spearheads so that children of school age can be provided the education they need at an early age.

The PA according to Col. Castro in close coordination with the local government of Sorsogon City, has requested the passing of the Resolution No. 036 S. 2012 authored by Sorsogon City Councilor, Charo L. Dichoso and has been approved that the LGU will fund the labor cost of the two-room building that will be constructed as the process of sponsorship provided by ABS-CBN is providing only the material cost and giving educational materials like books and computers after the completion of the building.

Col. Castro explained during the USB that on the end of the PA, their task is to assess, evaluate and recommend areas within their jurisdiction which needs intervention in terms of schools, roads and other peace building initiatives and look for sponsors who can fund said project, under the public private partnership program of the government.

Col. Castro explained that the “Gusto Kong Mag-aral ‘ project under the MDG goal number 2 has been one of the programs they have been assisting thru construction of classrooms and this has been also made possible with the guidance of the 565^th Engineering Construction Battalion assisting during the duration of construction.

The USB was attended by Cabarbuhan Barangay Captain Abraham Bolano together with the council members, Mr. Nestor Detera, Department of Education Sorsogon City Schools Division Physical Facilities Supervisor, Sorsogon City information officer Manny Daep, school principal Maria Nida Rocha together with all the teachers , pupils and the parents of the said barangay.

It can be recalled that the 903^rd Brigade have assisted the same project in Brgy. Pandan, Castilla and Brgy. Cabangcalan in Aroroy , Masbate. (PIA-SORSOGON)