ALL-OUT SUPPORT. Agusan del Norte Governor Dale Corvera (left) and 2nd District Rep. Angel Amante-Matba (right) join top Army officials for the turnover of the PHP15-million Commander’s Quarters at the 402nd Brigade Headquarters in Butuan City on Wednesday (December 18). The provincial leaders vow to continue their support for the efforts of the Army in maintaining peace in the province. (PNA photo by Alexander Lopez)
BUTUAN CITY – Top leaders in the province of Agusan del Norte reiterated on Wednesday their full support to the Army's peace and development initiatives.
Agusan del Norte Gov. Dale Corvera and 2nd District Rep. Angel Amante-Matba joined top Army commanders in the area for the turnover of the PHP15-million Commander’s Quarters building at the 402nd Brigade Headquarters here.
They were welcomed by Maj. Gen. Franco Nemesio M. Gacal, commander of the 4th Infantry Division, and Brig. Gen. Maurito L. Licudine, commander of 402Bde.
A multi-function quarters, the building also houses the conference room of the brigade and a mini-gym. The construction of the building started in 2018 and was completed in October this year.
“This is one of the many support that the provincial government of Agusan del Norte provided to the Army,” Corvera told reporters after the turnover ceremony.
Corvera said the building was started during the term of Amante-Matba when she was still the governor of the province.
Meanwhile, Amante-Matba said the completion of the building was brought about by the unity of the top officials of the province.
“This is the result when leaders are united. Even if this is proposed and asked by the Philippine Army but if this will not be carried out by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and other officials, then this will not happen. If your leaders are united, these things happen,” Amante-Matba said.
She added that the support will also boost the morale of the soldiers as she also recognized the help of the Army in maintaining peace in the province.
“This is a way of expressing our gratitude for risking their lives for the people of the province of Agusan del Norte,” she said.
Both Corvera and Amante-Matba vowed to help the efforts of the Army and other government agencies in ending the local communist conflicts to allow development interventions in communities.
The provincial government of Agusan del Norte, the Army, and other government agencies have been holding series of peace and development initiatives in various communities since September this year as part of "whole-of-nation approach" to end local communist conflicts.
Amante-Matba also said there is an ongoing construction of a half-way house inside the 402nd headquarters.
The halfway house, she added, is intended for the former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels who decided to go back to the fold of the law.
Gacal said the new building is important for the Army, adding it was a way of thanking field commanders for "doing a good job."
“I thank the provincial government of Agusan del Norte for being so generous to us by providing support and necessary assistance,” Gacal added. (PNA)
