Strengthening partnerships for sustainable peace. Lt. Col. Michelangelo G. Ramirez, Acting Commanding Officer of the 91st Infantry (SINAGTALA) Battalion, Philippine Army, and Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Abegail F. Paulino discuss initiatives to support Lyceum of the East-Aurora scholarship graduates through employment opportunities, while reinforcing collaboration on community development and capacity-building programs for people’s organizations in Aurora. (Jason de Asis)
BALER, Aurora – The 91st Infantry (SINAGTALA) Battalion, Philippine Army is strengthening its partnership with the Lyceum of the East-Aurora (LEA) and the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) of Aurora to sustain scholarship assistance and expand employment opportunities for beneficiaries of its peace and development initiatives.
As part of the initiative, Lt. Col. Michelangelo G. Ramirez, Acting Commanding Officer of the 91st Infantry Battalion, together with Capt. Zamzamyn K. Dimasidsing, Civil-Military Operations Officer, conducted separate courtesy calls with officials of LEA in Maria Aurora on July 6 and the PSWDO in Baler on July 8.
During their meeting with Engr. Jaime E. Gose, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lyceum of the East-Aurora, both parties discussed the renewal of their Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on scholarship assistance to ensure the continued implementation of the educational program.
Currently, 18 scholars are enrolled at LEA through the partnership. They are taking up Bachelor of Science in Accountancy, Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management, Bachelor of Science in Criminology, Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management, and Bachelor of Public Administration, while one beneficiary is currently enrolled in Grade 9.
According to Ramirez, 17 of the scholars are direct dependents of former rebels who have returned to the fold of the law, while one scholar is a dependent of a member of a people’s organization organized and facilitated by the 91st Infantry Battalion as part of its peacebuilding and community development initiatives. The scholars come from the provinces of Aurora, Quirino, and Nueva Ecija.
Meanwhile, during the courtesy call on Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Abegail F. Paulino, discussions focused on providing employment opportunities and other interventions for graduates of Lyceum of the East-Aurora, particularly scholarship beneficiaries, to help them transition into the workforce and become productive members of their communities.
The two offices also discussed strengthening community-based programs for people’s organizations (POs), including livelihood assistance, capacity-building initiatives, and enhanced inter-agency collaboration to ensure sustained support for organized communities.
Ramirez said the partnership reflects the battalion’s continuing commitment to complement the government’s peace and development efforts by investing in education, creating livelihood and employment opportunities, and empowering communities affected by insurgency.
The 91st Infantry Battalion said its collaboration with Lyceum of the East-Aurora and the PSWDO forms part of its broader peacebuilding strategy, which aims to transform former conflict-affected communities through education, sustainable livelihoods, and strengthened partnerships among government agencies and stakeholders. (Jason de Asis)