TACLOBAN CITY – While Borongan City, the capital of Eastern Samar, is no longer home to active members of the New People’s Army (NPA), Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda said the local government is not yet ready to declare the area under a Stable Internal Peace and Security Condition (SIPSC) due to lingering socio-economic issues.
Mayor Agda emphasized that despite the absence of armed insurgents in the city, unresolved problems like poverty, malnutrition, and geographic isolation still pose risks to long-term peace and may trigger the resurgence of insurgency if left unaddressed.
“When I took office as mayor, I made it a priority to focus on poverty, which is deeply rooted in the history of insurgency in our area,” said Agda.
In response, the city government has implemented reintegration efforts for former rebels, including the training of 48 ex-NPA members as forest rangers. These individuals are now helping protect Borongan’s timberlands from illegal logging and other destructive activities.
“We must not be complacent, especially those of us in government. We need to keep delivering essential services and make people feel that there is a government that truly cares,” the mayor said. “A holistic approach is needed—people must see and feel that we are sincere in helping them. That’s the only way to make our peace efforts sustainable.”
Apart from livelihood programs, the city is also investing in infrastructure to connect remote barangays to the main road network.
At present, only two interior villages—Baras and Pananag-an—remain unlinked to the national highway, but construction is already underway.
“Road opening is ongoing, and we are targeting that by 2027, these two barangays will be accessible by land travel,” Agda said.
The city government is using local funds to push these road projects, underscoring its commitment to inclusive development and security.
While Borongan has made significant strides in promoting peace and development, Mayor Agda said the government must continue addressing the root causes of conflict to ensure a resilient and lasting peace in the city.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
