Philippine military partners with business groups to promote peace, development in countryside

MANILA, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Oct. 13, 2010) – The Philippine military has signed up a partnership agreement with the business sector aimed at promoting peace and development in the countryside, officials said on Wednesday.

Officials said the Armed Forces of the Philippines thru the National Development Support Command signed a memorandum of understanding with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Foreign Buyers Association of the Philippines.

“The joint partnership is aimed at providing services to people in the far flung villages and conflict areas in the country. At the level of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the memorandum of understanding is geared towards enhancing public and private sector partnership and provide best practices on local chamber advocacy and services in conjunction and in support to the National Development Support Command’s advocacy of community development in the countryside,” said Army Captain Emmanuel Garcia.

He said the partnership with Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry was signed by Major General Carlos Holganza, chief of the National Development Support Command, and Brigadier General Nonato Alfredo Peralta, chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Civil Military Operations; and Edwin Capili, president of Mindanao Chamber of Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. And Eligio Miranda signed the memorandum of understanding in behalf of the Foreign Buyers Association of the Philippines.

“This is the start of a collaboration and cooperation of the private sector and the Armed Forces in our mutual service to our people. Our partnership will embody the idea of ‘Bayanihan sa Barangay’ which will truly benefit our needy countrymen in far flung villages,” Holganza said.

He said a total of 1,691 peace and development projects were completed by National Development Support Command in the country. Among the projects were school buildings, farm-to-market roads, bridges and drainages.

“These worthwhile projects were made thru the peace and development initiatives of the government and genuine care of our soldiers who are peace builder for our people. Today, we are assured of a more caring and invigorated service with the presence of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Foreign Buyers Association of the Philippines as our partners in peace and development,” Holganza said.

The National Development Support Command is the infrastructure and development arm of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. It is also a unit dedicated to assist in disaster relief and rehabilitation, environmental protection and a multitude of non-combat roles.

“These worthwhile projects were made thru the peace and development initiatives of the government and genuine care of our soldiers who are peace builder for our people. Today, we are assured of a more caring and invigorated service with the presence of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Foreign Buyers Association of the Philippines as our partners in peace and development,” Holganza said.