DAVAO ORIENTAL—Citing the province’s gains on peace and development, Governor Nelson L. Dayanghirang urged all peace and development partners to continue what the province has started in attaining long and lasting peace.
“We have started the right course toward achieving long and lasting peace. This will not happen without our peace and development partners, without unity in attaining a common goal which is a peaceful and progressive province. So congratulations to all of you for supporting the provincial government’s programs and hopefully we will continue helping each other,” Governor Dayanghirang said during the peace month celebration on September 17 at the Provincial Capitol Covered Court.
“I am very proud and happy to share it to you that through our unified efforts, the province of Davao Oriental has become a model province,” he added, mentioning the province’s flagship programs on peace and development which are Nagkakaisang Lingkod-Bayan ng Davao Oriental Barangay Outreach Caravan (NLD-BOC) and the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) which have gained recognition and were continuously benchmarked by different LGUs.
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Provincial Director Yvette Tolentino-Sunga, who gave her message during the occasion, said that the “whole of society approach” or “participative governance” is the “key” to achieve lasting peace.
“The celebration calls for unified action towards the shared aspiration for a just, comprehensive, and enduring peace regardless of ideology, religion, and culture. The carrier tagline of this year’s Peace Month is ‘Peace Na Tayo,’ a simple way to communicate the theme’s call for a participative pursuit for peace. This needs not only whole of government but whole of society approach. All stakeholders are enjoined to be an active partner and to give their full support in all programs for peace & development. Participative governance is a key to achieve peace and development,” she said.
Philippine Army’s 701st Brigade Deputy Commander Col. Rodolfo Lavadia Jr. said lauded the peace and development initiatives of the provincial government which have boosted and complemented the military’s efforts in maintaining peace and security here.
“We are very happy that with the leadership of our governor, we can now easily access the remote areas in our province. Through the provincial government’s programs, we were able to counter issues that the government has neglected the Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs). With that we are really appreciative of this program and we will always support this,” Lavadia said.
For the part of the Davao Oriental Police Provincial Office (DOPPO), OIC PSUPT Joel Ada said that the DOPPO “remains committed to the anti-criminality campaign and in maintaining public peace and order.”
Aside from the peace month program, a roster of activities was also held. The Youth for Peace organization facilitated competitions that foster the youth’s participation in building conflict-resilient communities. Some of the contests are: “Hungihung”, a dramatic dialogue competition; “Obra Kalinaw”, an on-the-spot poster making competition; and, “Sayaw Kalinaw”, a modern peace dance competition. The winners were given recognition during the 10th Reactivation Anniversary of the 701st Brigade on September 21, Friday. Photos by Eden Jhan Licayan
