The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 6 supports the launching of Sentrong Alyansang mga Mamamayan para sa Bayan (SAMBAYANAN-PANAY) that intents to uphold sustainable development, progressive and peaceful society in partnership with various organization, local government unit (LGUs) and national government agencies for a just and lasting peace throughout the nation.
The launching was recently held at Alejo Posadas Memorial Elementary School covered court, Brgy. Poblacion, Ajuy, Iloilo with the theme: “Institutionalizing the Whole-of-Nation Approach with the whole government participation, in attaining inclusive and sustainable peace and development, promote social justice and national transformation.”
SAMBAYANAN-PANAY is a Security and Exchange Commission (SEC)-registered People’s Organization (PO).
The event was also a patriotic collective gathering composed of individuals and group from various sectors that aims for socio-political stability and lasting peace in Panay Island.
DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu, also the Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) in Western Visayas, was represented by DENR 6 regional executive director Francisco E. Milla, Jr. and delivers the message as the Guest of Honor and Speaker during the launching activity.
He lauded the launching of SAMBAYAN-PANAY that aims to support the goal of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) and attain sustainable peace and economic development especially in the countryside that would lift communities out of poverty.
The Task Force also seeks to identify strategies by providing assistance to the communities through programs and projects. With strong support from SAMBAYANAN-PANAY and other organizations, protection from terrorists and mobilizing citizenry to help eliminate any form of violence will be made easier.
Cimatu also encouraged the SAMBAYANAN – PANAY to exercise it right to organize and solicit the commitment and support of other organizations such as the labor, youth, indigenous people (IPs), farmers, fisherfolks, transport workers, academe, LGBTQ or lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer and other sectors to work as one with a common goal: to achieve peace in the region.
It also aims to protect the youth to fight the war against illegal drugs and terrorism recruitment. National transformation through sustainable peace and development works by addressing local problems first, and then create solutions.
The launching activity was also attended by Governor Arthur R. Defensor, Jr. Province of Iloilo, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 6, 5th Congressional District, Philippine Army 3rd Infantry Division, Philippine National Police (PNP) Region 6, DENR PENRO Iloilo and CENRO Sara officials vowed to support the organization.
“The SAMBAYANAN-PANAY organization could be one of the keys to achieve just and lasting peace in the region that would empower sustainable peace and development throughout the nation,’’ said regional executive director Francisco E. Milla, Jr.
Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict and attaining peace for the country is also a priority program of Secretary Roy A. Cimatu. (DENR-6)
