PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE 10TH INFANTRY (AGILA) DIVISION, PHILIPPINE ARMY Naval Station Felix Apolinario, Panacan, Davao

City Contact Number: (082) 235-1041

Press Release

September 13, 2011

Convergence for Peace and Development delivers social and health services at Asuncion, DDN More than 1, 300 benefit from the delivery of social and health services spearheaded by the Governor of the Davao del Norte Province with full support of the 1003rd Infantry Brigade on September 9, 2011 at Barangay Binancian, Kamadi District, Asuncion, Davao del Norte. Hon. Rodolfo Del Rosario, Davao del Norte Governor personally oversaw the delivery of programs and services. For health services, spearheaded by the Provincial Health Office, the beneficiaries include: around 500 for free medical check up and distribution of free medicines; 37 benfitted from the tooth extraction; 31 were circumcised; 3 underwent minor surgery; 190 received free toothbrushes and toothpaste; free urine and blood exam which benefitted 30 individuals; and 12 rabies vaccination. The Provincial Social Work and Development spearheaded the delivery of feeding program (200 beneficiaries), the distribution of slippers (200 beneficiaries), and the dissemination of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, a program intended to strengthen the human infrastructure of the country. The Provincial Agricultural Office assisted by the Philippine National Police distributed 150 packs of seedlings while the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources implemented tree planting of 70 seedlings. Before the event, the Provincial Engineer Office repaired 18 kilometers of rough road to improve the passability of vehicles from New Corella to Brgy. Binancian, Asuncion, Davao del Norte. The 60th Infantry Battalion, under Ltc. Greg T. Almerol, of the 1003 rd Infantry Brigade and the 3rd Special Forces Battalion provided the manpower to assist the local government officials in the delivery of health and social services and security to ensure the peacefulness of the event for the beneficiaries. Ang akong kalipay kay anaa ang mga military. Usa kini nga makahatag sa kalig-on sa baruganan sa atong panggobyerno. Kini nga programa karon maayo kay makahatag ug kaayuhan sa katawhan. Usa ko sa nagsuporta niini kay para ni sa kaayuhan sa katawhan (I am happy that the military is here. This is one of the ways to strengthen the stand of our government. This program will do good to the people. I am one of the supporters for this will do good for the people, said Datu Eufemio Tawig, member of the Tribal Council in Kamadi District.

This is the third time that the delivery of health and social services was implemented, one of the activities of the Convergence for Peace and Development Program of the Davao del Norte province. The launching of the program was held at Brgy. Gupitan, Kapalong, DDN last August 9 where more than one thousand benefitted; the second time occurred in Brgy. New Cortez, Asuncion. The provincial government chooses the farthest barangays in municipalities as beneficiaries of this program. The fourth and next stop for the delivery of health and social services will be in Sitio Cabadianan, Brgy. Sto. Nino, Talaingod, Davao del Norte on September 23 this year. Governor Del Rosario emphasized that the activity is among the concretization of the will of President Benigno Aquino II to achieve peace and development. The soldiers and the provincial government of Davao del Norte share the same vision. We follow the Internal Peace and Security Plan or Bayanihan and the Peace and Development Outreach Program in 10th Infantry Division while Gov. Del Rosario has the PEOPLE program. Both are people centered hence the convergence of our efforts. We are grateful to the provincial government for letting us be their partners. In months to come, more of these deliveries of social and health services will be felt by the people for it is all our desire; that the people, the center and ultimate beneficiaries of our efforts, will be more involved to be one of us by joining in our peace and development efforts, said Col. Lysander A. Suerte, 1003rd Infantry Brigade Commander said.

Released by: CPT RICKY G MERCADO (SC) PA 1003rd Brigade Acting CMO Officer Contact Nr: 09176334235 E-mail add: cmo_raptor@yahoo.com

Children hold their seedlings before the tree planting, one of the programs during the Convergence for Peace and Development, at Brgy. Binansian, Kamadi District, Asuncion, Davao del Norte on Sept. 9, 2011. The 1003rd Infantry Brigade, which implements the Peace and Development Program of the 10th Infantry Division, supports the Convergence for Peace and Initiative Program of the Davao del Norte Provincial Government spearheaded by Hon. Rodolfo P. Del Rosario.

A soldier digs a hole for the child who will plant a tree in one of the programs during the Convergence for Peace and Development, at Brgy. Binansian, Kamadi District, Asuncion, Davao del Norte on Sept. 9, 2011. The 1003rd Infantry Brigad, which implements the Peace and Development Program of the 10th Infantry Divisio, supports the Convergence for Peace and Initiative Program of the Davao del Norte Provincial Government spearheaded by Hon. Rodolfo P. Del Rosario.