CATBALOGAN CITY—The DILG Samar hosted the Samar Island Peace and Development Partners Forum on August 17, 2022, at MGrand Royale Resort, Catbalogan City.
The activity aimed to revisit the 2017 Peace and Prosperity Roadmap; identify the actions taken by the concerned stakeholders; surface the challenges encountered; and outline ways forward for a renewed commitment to the Peace and Development Framework of Samar Island.
In her opening message, Gov. Sharee Ann Tan welcomed the participants and acknowledged the initiative of the DILG in conducting this Peace and Development Partners Forum.
“We are hoping with God’s grace to come up with an updated road map and we are so happy to RD Escober for having this initiative for coming up with Samar Island Peace and Development Partner Forum. We are also hoping that Samar will be noticed, and Samar will also be considered as one of the most developing areas under the new administration.” Gov. Tan said.
DILG Region VIII Regional Director Atty. Arnaldo E. Escober Jr., presented the rationale and overview of the activity.
”We are gathered here today to hear the peace and order situation of Samar Island, gawan natin ng paraan na magkaroon tayo ng harmonized strategies and interventions para po mas madali, mas efficient yung mga gamit nating resources, at mas focused po tayo dito po sa isla ng Samar,” said RD Escober.
Engr. Rene V. Valera, Head of LEO70 PMO delivered his keynote message.
“We need to address the issues and on the ground towards the continuous building of strong and capable institutions, heightens citizen participation for the whole-of-nation approach so that no more sector and no more community, especially in the countryside will be vulnerable and exploited by the communist terrorist group, thus establishing and sustaining peaceful, progressive, and resilient community,” said Engr. Valera.
In particular, the discussion included the following : (1) Peace and Prosperity Road Map discussed by LGOO V Myles Joseph E. Colasito of LCGDD DILG VIII; (2) Peace and Order Situation which focused on the Crime Situation of Samar Island presented by PLT Col Douglas Eloja; (3) Samar Island Insurgency Situation delivered by Col. Oliver Alvior; and (4) Economic Situation of Samar Island conferred by Dir. Amelito Domingo, Chief Economic Specialist of NEDA VIII.
Following the series of presentations, the Governors of Samar, Eastern Samar, and Northern Samar, shared the initiatives of each province in maintaining peace and order on Samar Island.
A Focused Group Discussion led by Rudith A. Roca, Chief of LGCDD DILG VIII, was conducted during the afternoon session of the activity, where the delegates shared their insight and learnings on the Regional Peace and Prosperity Roadmap and other presentations presented.
One of the highlights of the activity was the ceremonial signing of the commitment board participated by governors, mayors, and line agencies.
Towards the end of the activity, Gov. Sharee Ann Tan, with the assistance of PSWDO Alma A. Auster, spearheaded the distribution of cash assistance to 17 LSIP beneficiaries.
PD Judy Batulan delivered his closing remarks with a quote from American Industrialist, Henry Ford:
“Coming together is the beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.”
“Ang pagtitipon pong ito ay ang simula, at ang pananatiling magkakasama ay pag-unlad, at ang ating pagtutulungan ay simula ng pag-unlad ng isla ng Samar” PD Batulan said.
One major outputs of today’s activity was the commitment of the 3 governors of Samar Island to convene a technical working group to harmonize and consolidate the plans for Samar Island to address its peace and development challenges.
The activity was attended by Assistant Director Rene Valera, Head of LEO70 PMO; Gov. Sharee Anne T. Tan of Samar, Gov. Ben P. Evardone of Eastern Samar, Gov. Edwin Marino C. Ongchuan of Northern Samar; Regional Director of DILG VIII, Atty. Arnaldo E. Escober Jr., Assistant Director and Provincial Directors of DILG Samar, Eastern Samar, and Northern Samar and their representative; Regional Directors of different agencies and their representative; City and Municipal Mayors and their representative; LMP President and Vice-President and their representative; Batallion and Brigade Commanders.
