ANTEQUERA, Bohol, Nov. 20 (PIA) -- Local leaders here led the installation of a peace pole in front of the town hall on Nov. 19, 2020 to openly display their commitment of promoting peace and positive change.

This as the town aims to open the people's access to government and the government stepping up to deliver frontline services to communities by hosting two multi-stakeholder engagements called Dagyawan sa Barangay.

Antequera Mayor Lilioso Nunag and Department of Interior and Local Government Bohol Provincial Director Jerome Gonzales, in their separate messages, said the peace pole would also be the constant reminder of the government's commitment to bring its services closer to the hearts and minds of the people.

DAGYAWAN PEACE POLE. Antequera officails led by Mayor Lil Nunag, Vice Mayor Jose Mario Pahang, and DILG Provincial Director Jerome Gonzales installing the peace pole that would remind everyone in town that allowing peace to prevail would also nurture development and better lives for its people. Dagyawan, or Tinabangay in Cebuano, is bringing government and community in one common venue to create dialogues and collaborations for development. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

The pole, which was installed before the town's second Dagyawan sa Barangay team at Brgy. Quinapon-an, is an internationally-recognized symbol that bears the message "May Peace Prevail on Earth".

The Dagyawan Team also visited Brgy. Canlaas before heading off to Brgy. Quinapon-an two days later.

Like the one that was installed in the Chocolate Hills in Carmen, Bohol, this pole is a monument that displays the hopes and dreams of the entire human family, standing vigil in silent prayer for peace on earth.

Now installed in front of the town hall in Antequera, the peace pole should also remind every Antequeranhon of its constant search for peace to cement a rigid foundation strong enough to support the development of the town, said Mayor Nunag who sits as chair of the Municipal Task Force on the government's campaign on ending local communists' armed conflict (ELCAC).

A fourth class town where basket weaving is among its top economic earners, Antequera used to have issues which the opportunistic local communist insurgents used to instigate dissent, which also caused problems with the local government.

With some of its barangays nestled in the vastness of Maribojoc mountains, these became natural hosts for the roving armed insurgents who find the villages mass base hospitable enough to provide them sanctuary.

But then, things have changed here.

Conscious that when people do not feel the government problems would sprout, local officials started to open up access to these remote areas to bring the government closer to the people.

Now with Dagyawan sa Barangay, Talakayan at Serbisyo Caravan Para sa Mamamayan spearheaded by DILG and the local government, the government is keeping true its vow to directly engage and collaborate with local communities to promote transparency and empowerment, and therefore strengthen the grassroots participation in governance.

As the government brought the Dagyawan Serbisyo Caravan in barangays Canlaas and Quinapon-an featuring free government frontline services, the service fair also set the tone for the Talakayan sa Barangay where barangay officials and sectoral representatives planned for their barangay's local development.

On the part of the government, agencies also committed their services and funds to help the barangays come up with necessary infrastructure or skills trainings to strengthen local institutions.

The Dagyawan Team also announced the government's assistance to rebel returnees through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program and its package of mainstreaming assistance, all to give peace a chance to prevail in the said areas. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)