TACLOBAN CITY – The provincial government of Northern Samar has been recognized with the 2024 Gawad Parangal Award by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).
The award was presented during the task force’s 6th founding anniversary celebration at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on December 6, 2024.
The recognition highlights Northern Samar’s exceptional efforts in fostering peace and development within its communities.
Governor Edwin Ongchuan, in a statement, attributed the award to the collective dedication of the province’s government and its stakeholders.
“This award affirms our unwavering commitment to creating lasting peace and prosperity for our people. Through programs like the Kauswagan Village, we are not just building homes but also rebuilding lives and futures,” he said.
One of the key initiatives that earned the province this recognition is the construction of the Kauswagan (Prosperity) Village in Mondragon.
This permanent settlement, built in 2023, provides rehabilitated New People’s Army (NPA) members with housing and a fresh start. Over 30 families of former rebels now reside in the village, benefiting from various livelihood programs designed to support their reintegration into society.
The village is home to programs such as an ube plantation and poultry farming, supported by the Department of Agriculture’s Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) program, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU), and the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA).
These initiatives aim to empower residents with sustainable means of livelihood, aligning with the provincial government’s vision for inclusive development.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) also commended the province’s collaborative efforts, emphasizing that the success of such initiatives lies in collective action.
“The Gawad Parangal Award underscores the importance of addressing the root causes of armed conflict through holistic and sustainable approaches,” the DILG stated.
The awards were presented by Undersecretary Ernesto Torres, Executive Director of the NTF-ELCAC National Secretariat; National Security Adviser Eduardo Año; and Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo, representing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Brigadier General Efren Morados of the 803rd Brigade, based in Catarman, accepted the award on behalf of Governor Ongchuan, reflecting the united commitment of Northern Samar’s government and military to peacebuilding.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
