The 94th Infantry “Mandirigma” Battalion marked its 7th Founding Anniversary on February 20, 2025, at its headquarters in Brgy. Tambo, Ayungon, Negros Oriental, by expressing deep gratitude to its partners for their unwavering support in the pursuit of lasting peace.

As local leaders, military officials, and community organizations gathered, the event focused on honoring key individuals who have been instrumental in empowering community members and fostering a healthy environment for young learners in the polarized communities.

Brigadier General Michael G. Samson, acting commander of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID), commended the invaluable contributions of the various stakeholders who have helped extend vital services to the remote communities and hinterlands of Negros Island.

He emphasized that the military’s primary goal is to foster an environment conducive to development, one where Filipino citizens can thrive and become productive members of society.

Recognized

Among the key stakeholders who received recognition for its efforts was the Hope Builders Organization Negros Island, Inc. (HBONI), represented by its founder and Chief Executive Officer, Kenneth Bacala, whose leadership has been integral in supporting the Battalion’s mission.

For young people living in conflict-affected areas, education isn’t just a right—it’s a struggle to hold onto amid the chaos.

Despite the challenges, HBONI defied the risks and played a role in rebuilding their communities and ensuring that education remains a priority.

HBONI’s TIKANG project, an initiative in partnership with the 94th Infantry Battalion, focuses on providing alternative learning spaces and community-based educational support in areas formerly affected by insurgency.

Through these efforts, HBONI and the military help rebuild schools, supply learning materials, and provide non-formal tutorials.

The success of the project, along with other community initiatives, lays a strong foundation for an enduring partnership that continues to expand its impact.

In fact, the project is now extending its reach to other sitios in Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City, bringing much-needed educational support to even more remote communities.

Reality in Negros

In Negros Island, insurgency continues to disrupt communities, affecting every aspect of life. However, the most profound impact is on the youth who should be in classrooms, but are instead deprived of education.

This is the reality that leaves them vulnerable, stripping away their opportunities for a brighter future and leaving them with few choices but to survive in the chaos.

Schools become targets in conflict zones, forcing teachers and students to flee, and turning classrooms into areas of uncertainty and fear.

If no one dares to intervene and help the people in these polarized communities, the youth will remain trapped in a cycle of hopelessness, never hearing the song of hope they so desperately need.

It’s as if they are stranded in a “Lost Horizon,” where the lyrics echo their reality: “Have you ever dreamed of a place far away from it all, where the air you breathe is soft and clean, and children play in fields of green, and the sound of guns doesn’t pound in your ears”.

Without intervention, these young minds will never experience that peace—no fields of green, no freedom from the constant threat of violence—leaving them to wonder if such a place could ever be more than just a dream.*