Patikul, Sulu — In a remarkable show of unity and commitment to peace, the 11th Infantry “Alakdan” Division joined key partners in awarding agricultural equipment to ten barangays under the Balik-Barangay Program led by Sulu State College.
Held at the School of Agriculture of Sulu State College, the event marked a milestone in a broader initiative supported by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) titled “Establishment of Nursery and Demo-Farm of Fruit-Bearing Trees, Cereal, and Vegetable Production in Transfer of Balik-Barangay in Patikul.”
The project aims to help individuals from former conflict-affected areas transition into productive livelihoods through sustainable farming practices. By providing farming tools and establishing demo farms, the initiative supports reintegration efforts and community resilience.
Representing Division Commander Maj. Gen. Leonardo I. Peña, Assistant Division Commander Brig. Gen. Christopher C. Tampus reaffirmed the military’s commitment to peace and development in Sulu.
“This initiative is more than the distribution of tools; it is the planting of hope—a tangible step toward lasting peace and meaningful transformation,” Brig. Gen. Tampus said.
The program is a product of strong collaboration among the Armed Forces of the Philippines, CHED, Sulu State College, and the Local Government of Patikul. Their joint efforts aim to empower former residents who have returned to their communities under the Balik-Barangay Program.
By equipping these barangays with the tools needed to restart agricultural activities, the initiative helps pave the way for long-term stability and economic self-reliance.
The 11th Infantry Division continues to support community-based programs that build trust and promote sustainable peace in the region.