4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan (PPAB)

House Minority Leader and 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan commended the Department of National Defense (DND) under Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. for helping maintain peace across three provinces in his beloved region of Samar.

During the plenary deliberation of DND’s proposed budget next year, Libanan lauded Teodoro for the department’s excellent performance under his helm.

“Napakasipag po, napakagaling at talagang exemplar na lingkod bayan (Very hardworking, very good and an exemplary public servant),” the lawmaker said, describing the DND chief.

Libanan, who hails from Eastern Samar, was recently declared as an “adopted son” by Samar and Northern Samar.

“Mr. Speaker, sa buong buhay ko mula ng nagkagulo ang Samar mula no’ng 1977 ngayon ko palang naramdaman ang ganitong kagandahan ng aking probinsiya at ng isla ng Samar,” he said.

(Mr. Speaker, in my whole life since Samar was in disarray since 1977, I have only now felt this beauty of my province and the island of Samar.)

He particularly expressed his gratitude to the Philippine Army led by General Camilo Ligayo, the commanding general of the 8th infantry division, and DND Undersecretary Boy Espino for their efforts in the region.

Once tagged as a stronghold of communist rebels, the Samar provinces were declared earlier this year to be free from the influence of the New People’s Army (NPA).

Libanan also highlighted the DND’s efforts, together with the three provinces, to construct a flagship highway in the tri-boundaries of Samar.

“Malaki po ang kailangang halaga nito pero pag nagawa po ito sa pangunguna ng DND ay napakalaking bagay po sa development at katahimikan ng buong Isla ng Samar,” he noted.

(It would cost a lot, but once it is built under the auspices or the DND, it will be a great thing for the development and peace of the entire island of Samar.)

The veteran lawmaker stressed the need to sustain these developments in the region.