DAVAO ORIENTAL – Hoping to learn about Davao Oriental’s best practices in the implementation of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) for former rebels, no less than the Department of the Interior and Local Government Regional Director and the Provincial Directors in Region 9, led a delegation from Zamboanga Region here in a benchmarking activity.
Regional Director Paisal Abutazil expressed his region’s interest to learn about the best practices of Davao Oriental, particularly its implementation on the program for former rebels called E-CLIP.
“We want to learn how Davao Oriental operates its Happy Home. Because we also want a facility like this for our former rebels. We want to replicate it,” said Director Abutazil, adding that they already have an allocation of P5 million from the national government for the establishment of the said facility in the three provinces.
“What is also important is that we are seriously making peace and development initiatives, especially the local government units. The success of the initiatives will also depend on the performance of our leaders,” he added.
He added that the local government units must lead these kinds of initiatives. “Afterall, the LGUs here are the ones greatly affected and understand their respective situations, and as such, more than anybody else, they have the capacity to address their needs,” he said.
Davao Oriental Governor Nelson Dayanghirang warmly welcomed the group. He said he is overwhelmed with the fact that more and more local government units are coming over to the province to benchmark what the province has been doing, adding that the province is more than willing to share its best practices to other LGUs that want to replicate his province’s initiatives.
“I am humbled that many LGUs have come to see what we have done here and I am equally happy that we are now recognized as conflict-manageable. And again, we are happy to impart to them how we do it,” he furthered.
After the series of presentations, the group was toured by Brigadier General Manuel Sequitin at the Ugnayan Center of the 701st Infantry Brigade where the former rebels undergo deradicalization process for them to become more participative to the activities at the Happy Home.
Ms. Emalyn Oliveros, Happy Home Center Manager, gave more input on the operation of the facility and rehabilitation process of the former rebels.
DILG Provincial Director Orle Cabaobao said that in the next two weeks, Davao Oriental is expecting another batch of visitors from two regions.
“This boils down to leadership. If a leader is not that aggressive in pursuing what he wants for his people, then nothing will happen. Davao Oriental is very fortunate to have leaders led by Governor Dayanghirang who has the vision for his people,” he said.
With Davao Oriental now leading the initiatives of sustainable peace and development, Gov. Nelson Dayanghirang is challenged to also sustain its momentum and continue leading the way.
Joining the DILG Regional Director were Zamboanga del Norte DILG Provincial Director Oliver Ombos, Zamboanga Sibugay Director Mario Baterna, Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Director Moh. Taha Arakama, and their provincial department heads. By Neela Duallo
