TALISAYAN, Misamis Oriental — While the municipality currently enjoys a state of peace, Mayor Ciriaco A. Talines warns that maintaining it requires more than just security patrols — it requires tangible infrastructure that has yet to arrive.
Responding to a recent call from 4th Infantry Division Commander Major Gen. Michele B. Anayron Jr. for sustained local efforts, Talines highlighted the fragile nature of stability in former New People’s Army (NPA) strongholds like Barangays Sibantang and Macopa.
Talines confirmed that while the town remains peaceful — with no recent NPA sightings, surrenders, or conflicts — Talisayan has not yet benefited from the End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) program.
Specifically, the mayor is pushing for a farm-to-market road project crucial for agricultural logistics and the extension of power lines requested by indigenous communities.
"We continue focusing on livelihood improvement, education, health monitoring, and social services like financial assistance," Talines said, pointing our that social welfare is the town's primary tool for aligning with the military's peace goals.
Gen. Anayron recently challenged media practitioners during a fellowship at Camp Edilberto Evangelista to highlight these types of local government efforts to reinforce community trust.
However, Talines cautioned against complacency. He noted that while the rebellion has quieted, the ideological roots may not be entirely gone.
"I'm not convinced there are zero masses supporting the rebellion," Talines admitted, noting that a small percentage may still quietly sympathize with the insurgents. He added: "But the majority now favor the government—if we care for them, they won't return."
