Complimentary efforts from different sectors of the society and the military are needed to attain peace not only in the region but also of the country.

The 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army noted that pure military solution remains inadequate to address the security concerns of the country.

In line with this and after series of consultations and intensive workshops with the stakeholders, the Internal Peace and Security Plan or the Bayanihan was launched in the region on January last year.

Through Bayanihan, the 3ID led the implementation of people-centered projects.

"In a people-centered approach, everything has to be done within the human security framework while putting primacy to human rights and promoting the concept of human security," the 3ID said in statement.

The Army also emphasized that instead focusing on 'defeating the enemy,' they are concentrating on 'how to win the peace' in the region.

Meanwhile, as part of the implementation of Bayanihan approach; soldiers of the 3ID have been deployed in different areas of the region to give information on human rights issues and international humanitarian law and to help implement basic social services in conflict-affected communities in Panay and Negros.

Through a series of consultative meetings with different stakeholders in the region, socio–economic activities were also implemented in the region.

Recently, the 3ID and the Rotary International (RI) District 3850 signed a "manifesto for peace" with the hope to maintain the peace and order in Western Visayas and Western Mindanao.

As part of the manifesto, 3ID will help in the construction of basic service in some areas of the said region while the Rotarians will finance the projects.

Among the projects are the construction of tanod outposts, health centers, farm to market roads, day care centers, waiting sheds, water systems, sports facilities, pre-and post-harvest facilities, hanging bridges, electrification facilities and water irrigation systems.

Aside from infrastructures, other projects are educational assistance, adult education program, reforestation, medical mission, procurement of farm machineries, handicraft making and food processing and carabao-raising seminar.

The 3ID also believe that winning the peace should be a collective action from the church, local government units, civil society organizations, the academe, business sector, and advocacy groups including on human rights.* KVB/PR