BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar – This city was declared on Monday as insurgency-free, becoming the 21st local government unit in Eastern Samar to achieve the security milestone.

The declaration of the city under the Stable Internal Peace and Security Condition (SIPSC) was led by Philippine Army 8th Infantry Division commander Major Gen. Peter Burgonio, Eastern Samar Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales, Borongan City Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda, and Vice Gov. Maricor Sison-Goteesan, who represented Gov. Ralph Vincent Evardone.

In his message, Agda stressed that the SIPSC declaration should not mark the end of the city's peace efforts but should instead inspire continued collaboration among government agencies and communities to sustain peace and development.

"Let us work together, even with this declaration that we are already free from these peace challenges. This should not stop us in our resolve to fight for good governance, accountability, and our care for others," Agda said.

The mayor recalled that when he assumed office in 2019, the city experienced two bombing incidents – one in the remote barangay of Barangay Pinanag-an that killed several soldiers and another on the national highway in Barangay Libuton that claimed the lives of police personnel and injured several civilians.

Since then, the city government has strengthened its peace and development initiatives by encouraging active communist rebels to surrender and reintegrate into society through government assistance, including livelihood support and employment opportunities under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.

The city also continued to invest in road infrastructure connecting interior barangays to the national road network. Of Borongan's 61 barangays, only Baras and Pinanag-an remain accessible solely by motorboat.

Despite the SIPSC declaration, Burgonio assured residents that the military would maintain its presence in Borongan, particularly in hinterland communities such as those along the Suribao River, to preserve peace gains and support development programs.

"We will not leave Borongan City. Instead, we are stepping up our presence here to sustain peace efforts," Burgonio said.

He also urged barangay officials to continue improving the delivery of government services and safeguard the peace achieved through the collective efforts of the military, police, local government units, and communities.

Borongan is the 21st local government unit in Eastern Samar to be declared under SIPSC. The municipalities of Dolores and Jipapad are the only remaining local government units in the province yet to receive the declaration.

The SIPSC is jointly conferred by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police on provinces, cities, and municipalities that have dismantled insurgent influence, recorded zero violent incidents between government forces and rebels, and cleared guerrilla operations.

Other parameters include established functional peace and order mechanisms signifying that insurgency-related threats have been reduced to manageable levels, creating opportunities for sustained socio-economic development, increased investments, and tourism. (PNA)