Moreno acknowledges Camp Evangelista contribution to Oro progress, Normin dev’t

By Jigger J. Jerusalem
Correspondent

THE Army’s 4th Infantry Division (4ID) is one of the factors for this city’s progress and development.

As the Army division celebrates its 50th anniversary, Mayor Oscar Moreno said the 4th ID has played an important role in the peace and order situation in the region.

“We are blessed that 4th ID 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. We would not be where we are now if the armed forces are not around,” Moreno said in his message during the 4th ID’s kick-off ceremony held at Camp Edilberto Evangelista in Barangay Patag here on Wednesday.

The 4th ID’s coverage are the Northern Mindanao, except Lanao del Norte, and the Caraga.

Because of the progress that is being felt in the region, Moreno said investments have been poured into the region, especially in Cagayan de Oro, the urban capital of Northern Mindanao, and its neighboring towns, with companies putting up their businesses in the area.

The challenge now, he said, is for everyone to work harder, to achieve the government-initiated effort to end local insurgency.

Moreno, who chairs the Regional Peace and Order Council, said all stakeholders must together to attain that goal of ending armed conflict in the countryside.

“That requires 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,” the mayor added.

One of the highlights of the 4th ID’s anniversary, dubbed as “Barrio Peace-ta sa Kampo,” are the booths that display locally made consumer goods and handicrafts from the regions under the division’s command.

Maj. Gen. Franco Nemesio Gacal, 4th ID commander, said the displays of products is the division’s contribution to the socio-economic development of regions 10 and 13.

“The booths and displays are products of collaboration and cooperation between and among the soldiers and the communities they serve. Truly, it’s a magnificent display of ‘bayanihan,’” he said.

He added: “The Barrio Peace-ta sa Kampo is a celebration of our heritage, the importance of barrio [village] as a community, and the ‘bayanihan’ [communal unity and cooperation] spirit that thrives in the community. It is also a celebration is peace, a manifestation of our earnest desire to achieve long lasting peace and inclusive development for the people.”

According to Gacal, the “Barrio Peace-Ta sa Kampo 2020” also “serves as an avenue to give back gratitude to our partner stakeholders and local communities for their continued support and trust to 4th ID.”

It is a one-stop venue of 4th ID’s units showcasing and promoting the local products and tourist destinations of Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat, Camiguin, Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental, in coordination with the local tourism office, he said.