‘Barlig LGU deserves award’

COMMUNITY BILLBOARD

Dionie Chungalan

BARLIG, Mt. Province – “Barlig (local government unit) needs an award of appreciation,” a member of the council of elders here was overheard saying.  “As the most peaceful town in the province, our LGUs should at least be recognized. Peace and order was maintained by our people, and yet no concern agencies seem to take note.”

              Culturally, Barlig folks are happy, peace-loving and industrious patterned from their ancestors’ way of life who were against outside forces that disturbed their livelihood.

On Feb. 11, 2015, the the Barlig Association of Barangay Captains headed by David Osborn Fomocod, ABC president that time unanimously made resolution no. 01, s. 2015 addressed to Ka Magno Udyao, spokesperson of the Leonardo Pacsi Command stationed at Mountain Province, “Denouncing any member of the Communist Party of the Philippines/National Democratic Front/New Peoples Armed Group (CPP/NDF/NPA) from engaging transactions with the different barangay residents of the town.”

The association affirmed that since time immemorial, the municipality of Barlig enjoyed harmonious peace since the time it stood as an independent municipality in 1966 to date.

On Nov. 27, 2017, the Barlig Sangguniang Bayan promulgated resolution no. 99, s. 2017 duly approved by then Mayor Genesis Changilan “Condemning the extreme act of CPP/NDF/NPA that disturbed the peace and disruption of community activities in a wide range that included the municipality of Barlig.”

The Resolution read: “The continuing interference of CPP/NDF/NPA within the territorial jurisdiction of Mountain Province at East Chico line affected our municipality being frequented by armed people creates fear among the populace on their terroristic activities.”

On August 27, 2019, it was followed by resolution no. 28, s. 2019 under the present leadership of Mayor Clark Ngaya “Declaring the CPP/NDF/NPA including terrorist groups as ‘persona non grata’ within the municipality of Barlig.”

In consonance with presidential executive order no. 70, Mayor Ngaya organized the Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (MTF-ELCAC), to efficiently and effectively implement the “Whole-of-Nation approach (WNA) for sustainable peace in all barangays of Barlig.

Barlig, a fast growing tourists’ destination which will be a progressive town upon the near completion of an all-weather national road must not be disturbed by doubtful futuristic principles, according to professionals of the town.

A village headman said, “We live a simple, contented indigenous way of life. Just leave us manage the peace that we know in our ancestral domain. However, we pray fervently that they come down to enjoy peace with a love-one, family and friends as we only live but once. Is this not a merit of good governance on house-keeping?”