50TH ANNIVERSARY. A Philippine Army chaplain says a prayer before the ribbon-cutting that signals the opening of the Army's 4th Infantry Division’s 50th founding anniversary celebration at Camp Edilberto Evangelista in Cagayan de Oro City on Wednesday, Jan. 15. In the photo are (from left) Marie Elaine Unchuan, Department of Tourism-10 director; Mylah Faye Aurora Cariño, National Economic Development Authority-10 director; Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno; and Maj. Gen. Franco Nemesio Gacal, 4ID commander. (PNA photo by Jigger J. Jerusalem)
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The presence of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division (4ID) has been one of the contributing factors of this city’s progress and development, Mayor Oscar Moreno said during the occasion of the division's 50th founding anniversary on Wednesday.
Moreno said the 4ID has played an important role in the peace and order situation in Northern Mindanao.
“We are blessed that 4ID covered Northern Mindanao because our [division] commanders are good. The national defense helps us a lot, in terms of serving the people and securing the land," Moreno said in his message during the 4ID’s golden anniversary kick-off ceremony held at Camp Edilberto Evangelista here.
"We would not be where we are now if the armed forces are not around,” Moreno added.
Aside from Northern Mindanao--except Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, and Iligan City--4ID also covers Caraga Region.
Because of the region's stable peace and order, Moreno said investments have been poured into Northern Mindanao, especially in Cagayan de Oro, its capital, as well as the city's neighboring towns.
The challenge, he said, is for "everyone to work harder, to achieve the government-initiated effort to end the communist insurgency.
Moreno, who chairs the Regional Peace and Order Council, said all stakeholders must "work together to attain that goal of ending armed conflict in the countryside."
“That requires a team effort, and certainly it’s not as if the military is one team and the civilian is another team. All of us belong to the same team,” he added.
One of the highlights of the 4ID’s anniversary, dubbed as “Barrio Peace-ta sa Kampo,” are the booths that display locally-made products from areas regions under the division’s command.
Maj. Gen. Franco Nemesio Gacal, 4ID commander, said the showcase of display of local products is the division’s contribution to the socio-economic development of Regions 10 and 13.
“The booths and displays are a product of collaboration and cooperation between and among the soldiers and the communities they serve. Truly a magnificent display of ‘bayanihan,’” he said.
He described the "Barrio PeaceTa sa Kampo 2020" as a one-stop venue for local products and tourist destinations of Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat, Camiguin, Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental. (PNA)
