The First Congressional District of Northern Samar has been officially declared under Stable Internal Peace and Security Condition, marking a major step in the province’s continuing transition from decades of insurgency challenges toward sustained peace and development.
The declaration was made on July 3, 2026, at the Provincial Capitol in Catarman, where the remaining municipalities of the First Congressional District were formally placed under the Stable Internal Peace and Security Condition, thereby completing the SIPSC declaration for the entire district.
The milestone follows earlier declarations in the province, including San Roque in the Second District on March 27, 2025, and Laoang in the Second District on June 30, 2026. Authorities said these successive declarations reflect the steady expansion of peace and security gains across Northern Samar through the joint efforts of government agencies, local government units, security forces, and communities.
Officials said the declaration goes beyond a formal ceremony, as it represents the collective progress of communities long affected by insurgency. For many Nortehanons, it signals stronger local institutions, improved access to services, and wider opportunities for sustainable development.
The 8th Infantry “Stormtroopers” Division said the achievement reflects the success of the government’s Whole-of-Nation Approach in addressing the root causes of insurgency. It said focused military and law enforcement operations were complemented by responsive governance, socio-economic programs, and the active participation of local communities.
The ceremony brought together officials from the national, regional, provincial, and municipal governments, security sector leaders, partner agencies, and other stakeholders, who reaffirmed their commitment to protecting the peace gains built over years of cooperation and sacrifice.
For residents, the declaration means more than the absence of armed conflict. It points to communities where children can pursue education without fear, farmers and fisherfolk can work with confidence, businesses can grow, and government services can reach even the farthest barangays.
The 8th Infantry Division emphasized that the SIPSC declaration is not the end of peace efforts, but the beginning of a renewed responsibility to sustain the gains already achieved. It said that while the threat of insurgency has been significantly reduced, preserving peace will require continued cooperation among government agencies, local leaders, security forces, and the public.
“Ang kapayapaang tinatamasa natin ngayon ay bunga ng sakripisyo ng ating mga kasundaluhan, kapulisan, mga lingkod-bayan, at mga sibilyan na buong tapang na naglingkod sa ating mga komunidad. Ang pinakamataas nating pagpupugay sa kanila ay ang tiyakin na hindi muling babalik pa ang karahasan sa ating mga pamayanan.
Ang kapayapaang kanilang pinaglaban ay dapat nating pangalagaan at ipamana sa susunod na henerasyon.”
The completion of the SIPSC declaration in the entire First Congressional District, together with the earlier declarations of San Roque and Laoang in the Second District, marks Northern Samar’s shift from conflict management to peace sustainment.
Officials said this next phase will focus on using security as a foundation for inclusive development, stronger institutions, and empowered communities. It also underscores the shared responsibility of all sectors to prevent the conditions that once allowed insurgency to take root.
As Northern Samar enters what officials described as a new chapter, the 8th Infantry “Stormtroopers” Division reaffirmed its commitment to working with partner agencies, local government units, and communities to safeguard peace gains, build resilient communities, and ensure that future generations inherit a province where security, development, and opportunity continue to thrive.