JTFT Activation Ceremony marks significant leap for Tacurong

            (February 12, 2012) Peacekeepers, government officials and employees, public and private sector constituents and civilian guests gathered February 6 at the City Hall Grounds, City of Tacurong for a remarkable event for the City of Goodwill – the activation of the Joint Task Force Talakudong (JTFT).

            This significant leap for the city kicked-off with formation of troops and flag raising rites sponsored by the Office of the Sangguniang Panglungsod.

            In the ceremony, Tacurong City Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Armand M. Dece, DCC led an invocation and was followed by the reading of the salient points of the Executive Order No. 01 Series of 2012 by City Administrator Eduardo Nicolo. This executive order provides the stipulations in the creation of the Joint Task Force Talakudong (JTFT) between the City Government of Tacurong and the Philippine Army currently represented by the 601^st Infantry Brigade with its mission, composition and functions.

            After the unit color was presented to the crowd, Hon. Lina O. Montilla, City Mayor and the Joint Task Force Chairperson, led the downing of the JTFT Patch to the Command Group. She was assisted by the 601^st Infantry Brigade Commander, Col. Edmundo R. Pangilinan.

            In his remarks, Pangilinan emphasized the need to realize each Tacurongnon’s support in order to achieve a strengthened security, stability and peace in the city.

            “It should be a joint effort. Hindi lamang isang ahensya ng pamahalaan, hindi lamang ng armed forces, hindi lamang ng kapulisan, hindi lamang ng mga volunteers, but rather it should be a joint effort of all stakeholders… Ito po ay Joint Task Force ng people of Tacurong,” Pangilinan said.

            Mayor Montilla also expressed her congratulations to the newly activated JTFT and encouraged everyone to remember this significant undertaking where the city’s peace and order is again lifted to new heights.

            “Let us make this day as the moment wherein we accept the challenge of preserving peace and harmony to abound in our beloved Tacurong. Let us make this day as a tangible realization and reminder for us to better ourselves and to make everything, and anything in our capacity to make it a place where true and everlasting peace resides,” Montilla said.

            The Joint Task Force Talakudong primarily aims to conduct security and disaster risk reduction management operations to promote peace and order, ensure public safety in order to make Tacurong City a safe place to live in and conducive to economic and sustainable development. [Jessa Loreta Camangeg Billano]