BY Jason de Asis
BALER, Aurora-The Philippine Army’s 91st Infantry “Sinagtala” Battalion and municipality of Gabaldon in Nueva Ecija facilitated the awarding of livelihood assistance worth of P450,000 sacks of rice for “Bigasang Bayan” to six Peoples Organizations (POs) on Wednesday, December 6 in Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija.
Lt. Col. Julito B. Recto, Jr., commander of 91st IB said that the 300 sacks of rice livelihood assistance are in collaboration and partnership with the municipal government of Gabaldon spearheaded by Mayor Jobby P Emata. Recto said the government will continue to help the officers and members of the former rebels and its supporters who are in the POs and now transforming themselves to rebuild their lives.
“We are honored to have the municipality of Gabaldon as partners in helping our people to uplift the POs’ lives by giving more livelihood programs and also to strengthen the groups in building better communities with peace and harmony. We would like to ensure that all livelihood programs for them will be sustainable,” Recto said.
He added that opportunity comes but it depends upon the individuals who will manage that chance in order to grow. “Sometimes, it is the human resources who stained the goodness of whatsoever we would like to implement.
\The problem sometimes is within us and not the government. Therefore, we encourage everyone to carefully manage their “Bigasang Bayan” to make it more productive,” Recto said.
He also lauded the efforts of Mayor Emata for the usual civic mindedness and full support to the POs. Gabaldon Mayor Emata said that the LGU and other concerned agencies will continue their support to the POs as well as to the people of the said town.
“The government is not the main actor in every livelihood assistance but the individuals themselves who will be the main driver to uplift the opportunity of the given businesses to the POs,” Emata said, pointing out that the success of any enterprises will depend upon how they manage properly to make it grow. Gabaldon POs President Narasio Cerimonia expressed his gratitude to 91st IB and Mayor Emata who have been instrumental in the POs “Bigasang Bayan”, saying that it was a big help to start their chosen business.
He advised the associations to do their best towards the success of their businesses placed in six barangays; namely: Tagumpay, Ligaya, Malinaw, Kalabasa, Villa Agos (sawmill) and Bagong Sikat.
