DON VICTORIANO, Misamis Occidental—The provincial government of Misamis Occidental, headed by Governor Henry S. Oaminal, is making every effort to provide immediate relief assistance to evacuated residents of Barangay Napangan in Don Victoriano Chiongbian town who were impacted by the military operation against New People’s Army (NPA) Guerrilla Front Sendong.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) and the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) diligently strived to ensure that the evacuees received an adequate supply of food.

Some 300 households or 945 individuals of Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Barangay Napangan were evacuated at Subanen Chapel, Day Care Center, and Barangay Covered Court as their temporary shelter. They received ten kilos of rice and canned goods.

In his recent live broadcast over Facebook, Oaminal shared his continued support for the village despite his activities abroad. The governor instructed the PGMO staff to provide necessary assistance to the families of the said residents.

"Anytime karon buntag, magdala usab ug food packs nga ayuda para sa atong mga kaigsuonan nga na-displace uban usab ang supporta nato sa pagkaon provision sa atong Philippine Army nga karon sobra na sa 24 oras nga nag-encounter sa maong remnants sa NPA and the remaining 12 members of 20 hardcore nga nabilin sa Guerrilla Front Sendong [Anytime this morning, we will also bring food packs to help our brothers and sisters who have been displaced along with our support for the food provision of our Philippine Army, which has now been encountering the remnants of the NPA and the remaining 12 members of 20 hardcore left in Guerrilla Front Sendong for more than 24 hours]," he announced.

Oaminal further called on other NPAs suffering in the hinterlands that the government is open to accepting them back into the folds of the law.

He stated that peace and livelihood programs and cash assistance have been set in place alongside the Expanded Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP) for them to go back to their families and become productive citizens of the community.

Oaminal then appealed to all Misamisnon to join the government’s cause for peace.

He asked those who were still in the mountains to return to the fold of the law, assuring them that a bright future still awaited them.

Governor Oaminal added that his administration is sincere in working with those who are still with the NPA once they surrender.

"We are all Misamisnons. There’s no reason that we should fight. Instead, let us try to help and support each other. That way, we may be able to help our province develop and even usher our nation towards true progress," he said. (PGMO/PIA-10/Misamis Occidental)