TACLOBAN: Calbayog City in Samar province is the first city in Eastern Visayas to be declared with Stable Internal Peace and Security Condition (SIPSC) or completely free from threats of the New People's Army (NPA). Mayor Raymund Uy said during the declaration on Friday the city's status proves that insurgency is no longer part of the peace and order problem of the city. 'We are lucky to be part of this momentous event. I am confident that we can sustain this and that we all have responsibility from the elected officials to the people in the community to maintain peace and order and security,' Uy said in his speech. Calbayog is the first of the seven cities in Eastern Visayas to be declared insurgency-free following the passing of a resolution by the city council as proposed by the city task force to end local communist armed conflict. For Judy Batulan, Department of the Interior and Local Government Samar provincial director, the declaration is a step in changing the city's image into a positive one. 'I am glad that the present leadership is doing its best in transforming the minds of Calbayog people and changing the narrative and the negative branding of the city from being called 'killbayog' to transforming to a cool place to live or 'coolbayog',' Batulan told local officials. In his message, Philippine Army 803rd Infantry Brigade commander Brig. Gen. Efren Morados said the insurgency-free declaration is a testament to the whole of the nation and a good governance approach. 'I look forward to the fact that the impact of these declarations can extend beyond the immediate sense of security and open doors to the development opportunities in areas previously hindered. Businesses will continue to flourish, attracting investment and creating job opportunities for the people of Calbayog City,' Morados said. Part of the declaration of SIPSC is the signing of the pledge of commitment and memorandum of understanding among the city government and the military, police, and other peace partners, which aims to streng then support in maintaining peace and order and preventing the resurgence of communist groups. Other than Calbayog, the towns of Almagro, Sto Nino, Sta Margarita, San Sebastian, Tarangnan, and Pagsanghan are other local government units in Samar province that have been declared as insurgency-free. Source: Philippines News agency
