Alabat Mayor Jose Ramil Arquiza (3rd from right, seated) leads the signing of the MOU for declaration of ‘Stable Internal Peace and Security’ (SIPS), declaring the town as ‘insurgency-free.’ Photo by Gemi Formaran
Alabat Island now ‘insurgency-free’
LUCENA CITY – Following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the declaration of “Stable Internal Peace and Security” (SIPS), the entire Alabat Island in Quezon province is now an “insurgency-free” area.
The island is comprised of three towns, namely, Alabat, Perez, and Quezon, all fifth-class municipalities.
The formal signing was led by Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 4-A director Ariel Iglesia, DILG provincial director Darrel Dizon, Quezon Police Provincial director Col. Ledon Monte, Phil. Army’s 85th Infantry Battalion (IB) commander Lt. Col. Joel Jonson, 2nd Quezon Police Provincial Mobile Force commander Major Rodelio Calawit and municipal mayors along with other local officials.
Monte said the much-awaited declaration was a “fruit” of joint efforts exerted by all stakeholders in the island towns, which according to him, is a very “significant factor” for the progress and development of the area, especially now that the construction of a kilometer-long bridge is in progress.
Monte is referring to Roma Point Bridge, a cable-stayed bridge that will connect the towns of Quezon and mainland Calauag.
The P1 billion project which was initiated by Quezon Governor Angelina “Helen” Tan during her stint as the province’s three-termer 4th District representative, is expected to be completed in 2026 or 2027, depending on the release of funds as the project is under a multi-year program.
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