BY: BY JENNIFER C. TILOS
DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, April 21 (PIA) -- About 500 local government officials, civil society and non-government organizations and other stakeholders are expected to participate in the grand ceremony of the joint declaration of Negros Oriental as “Conflict Manageable and Development Ready Province” on May 7.
Shortly before the signing of the declaration, the army’s 302nd Infantry Brigade opens the event with a sky diving and band drill exhibition at 8:00am at the Pedices Coliseum oval.
As guest of honor, Secretary of National Defense Voltaire Gazmin will be joined by Philippine Army chief of staff Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Bautista and Regional Development Council-7 chair Edgar Chatto to witness the signing of the joint declaration and joint letter directive at the Provincial Convention Center, Dumaguete City.
The ceremony proper will start with entry of colors and ecumenical prayers with Bishop Julito Cortes of Diocese of Dumaguete, Rev. Ed Samson of UCCP, and Jamal Tiburon of the Muslim Community.
Vice-Gov. Mark Macias to deliver a welcome remark to the participants, after which a short video of Internal Peace and Security Operations (IPSO) in Negros Oriental will be presented.
Subsequently, Governor Roel Degamo will lead the signing ceremony of the joint declaration for Negros Oriental as “Conflict Manageable” together with Brig. Gen. Aurelio Baladad of army’s 3rd Infantry Division, and Police Chief Supt. Danilo Constantino of PRO7 as signatories.
The 302nd Brigade Commander BGen Francisco Patrimonio, Gov. Degamo, and Police Chief Mariano Natuel will also sign the joint letter directive for the normalization of peace and security in the province.
Immediately after the 302nd’s guerilla theater presentation, Defense Secretary Gazmin will deliver his message as keynote speaker.
Insurgency in the province will be formally declared “manageable” due to the efforts of security forces and local officials, BGen. Patrimonio.
To conclude the program, the participants will sing the Negros Oriental hymn and Pilipinas kong Mahal and this follows a press conference. (mbcn/JCT/PIA7-Negros Oriental)