Poster contest to entice NPAs

The three winning entries of the first poster making contest by DILG Region 1. (L-R) The first place poster entry of Christine Joy D. Visco, second-place entry of Joven Aaron D. Miguel, and the third-place entry of Alvin P. Cendaña. -- FGL, PIA 1

By Freddie G. Lazaro

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union-- A poster contest was held here recently to entice New People’s Army rebels to return to the folds of the law.

A poster showcasing significance of peace for countrywide development bagged first place of the maiden poster making contest of Enhanced Comprehensive Livelihood Integration Program (E-CLIP) cluster of the Regional Task Force – Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) of Region 1.

The contest by Dept. of the Interior and Local Government Region 1 gathered 15 entries by artists from Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan.

DILG Region 1 director James F. Fadrilan said the poster-making contest on E-CLIP was launched to entice New People’s Army (NPA) rebels to go back to government.

 “We initiated the conduct of the first poster making contest through the E-CLIP cluster of the RTF-ELCAC to effectively convey the sincerity of the national government on welcoming the return of the NPA rebels to the fold of law for achieving the lasting peace and development,” said Fadrilan.

 The poster making contest was themed: Nag-iisang adhikain para sa makabuluhan at progresibong kapayapaan.

“This contest was also an avenue to convey the message of the national government in its pursuit for genuine reconciliation and nation building,” he added. 

The first place poster was a masterpiece of Christine Joy D. Visco, a fine arts student at the University of Northern Philippines (UNP) and resident of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.

Visco’s poster represented the CPP-NPA-NDF and Philippine government restoring allegiance for peace building.

The dove symbolized peace while the scale represented equality and balance of both for the rebels and Philippine government for peacebuilding and whole of nation progress.

 Other winners were Joven Aaron D. Miguel of San Fernando City, La Union, second place and Alvin P. Cendaña from Mangaldan, Pangasinan in third place.

The first placer bagged P10,000 cash prize, P6,000 cash for the second placer; and P4,000 for the third. -- JCR/FGL, PIA 1