The fight against insurgency goes on- but not with guns.
Isabela State University ties with the 5th Infantry Division (ID) of the Philippine Army and Department of Agriculture Region 02 (DA-R02) to bring development opportunities for rebel groups to end armed conflicts, Friday (October 9).
ISU and DA will assist 5th ID in the transfer of agriculture-based technologies to propel livelihood programs for rebel returnees.
Insurgency has been a problem for more than 50 years, says University President Dr. Ricmar Aquino, which has only brought scratches for both sides of the government and rebel groups.
With this, Dr. Aquino offered the University’s services particularly in the field of research-based products and agriculture technologies as way of contributing to the efforts of quelling down armed tensions.
“The fight against insurgency is not just the fight of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), it should be the fight of everybody- the fight of Isabela State University, and the fight of DA… so that is why, with all of us here, I’m pretty sure that in the near future, we can end the problem on insurgency”, Dr. Aquino said.
President Ricmar furthered, “Kung pupwede sana matapos na next year eh. Kung pupwede sana matapos na ngayon. That’s why we are here, ISU really has committed itself to help and contribute in ending this conflict”.
A commissioned officer under the rank of Colonel of the Army Reserved Command, Dr. Aquino appeared with his military uniform during the ceremonial partnership, saying this was his way to show the army division that “ISU is one with 5th ID, we are one with you”.
5th ID Commander Brigadier General Laurence E. Mina expressed, “Dahil sa convergence, dahil sa sama-sama nating mga ginagawa ngayon bilang isang grupo, isang team- nakikita na natin ang liwanag”.
“Wala kaming ibang masasabi dito kundi ang kabuuang pasasalamat namin. Ngayon ay sama-sama tayo, ngayon ay nandyan din kayo – hindi lang kayo naghihintay ng request namin, kundi nagvo-volunteer narin”, BGen. Mina added.
Meanwhile, DA OIC Regional Technical Director for Operations Roberto C. Busania affirmed, “DA is having its commitment to really further the advocacy of helping our brothers and sisters”.
Dir. Busania furthered, “all government agencies are really mandated to help our brothers and sisters who are in the far-flung areas or even in the more urbanized areas to have the opportunity to live more decent by helping them to have livelihood- and the Department of Agriculture is really committed to continue sustaining the livelihood of our farmers”.
The University has also extended its developed HealthGuard contact-tracing technology, along with the renewal of ISU Ilagan’s extension program on the enhancement of oral and written proficiency of military personnel.