Peace should not leave anyone behind – Lacson

By: Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said that the pursuit for peace should not leave anyone behind.

Lacson made the statement during the turnover of the Payapa and Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA-DILG) and Development Acceleration Program-Funded projects worth a total of P25 million at the peace and development community sites in Sitios Ilan and Mambinay in Brgy. Locotan, Kabankalan City Tuesday.

“For peace to be real, we must address, preserve and respect the core of humanity and human dignity and it must be the kind that leaves no one behind,” Lacson said.

More than 800 beneficiaries availed of government services such as free medical and dental services, skills and livelihood training, free massage and haircut, and NOCHP enrolment.

A memorandum of understanding was also signed by the provincial government, City Government of Kabankalan led by Mayor Pedro Zayco, and Kapatiran Para sa Progresong Panlipunan Inc. (KAPATIRAN) led by Veronica Tabara.

The signing was witnessed by Department of National Defense Undersecretary Cesar Yano, 302nd IB Commander Col. Noel Baluyan, Brgy. Locotan Punong Barangay Zhawrigley Dayon and 6th District Board Member Jeffrey Tubola, among others.

The MOU aims to strengthen the mutual cooperation and peace building support, particularly in providing for the Kapatirans socio and economic reintegration in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s call for a whole of nation approach to end local conflict.

The projects include concreting and improvement of Locotan Road with canal lining, additional units of classroom, construction of a four-classroom school building, construction of one day-care center, construction of multi-purpose building, construction of health center, rehabilitation of Locotan-Mambinay Road.

The activity is also a highlight of the Negros Peace Week Celebration.