DAVAO ORIENTAL – As the urgent call for the intensified
efforts to fight insurgency has now become a key national policy, the Provincial
Government has also been pouring a lot of efforts and resources for this cause,
this time in building a “climate of good governance” as a widely-recognized potent
weapon to counter insurgency.
Governor Nelson Dayanghirang, during the recently held Provincial Peace and Order Council meeting on March 25, pointed out that the success of the anti-insurgency efforts all boils down to the effective delivery of public services.
He called on the attention of all local chief executives to strengthen and foster the development of good governance, particularly on investing in well-meaning programs and projects that address the people’s most pressing needs like health, education, agriculture, and livelihood, among others.
“Our fight against insurgency is still about winning the hearts and minds of the people,” said Governor Dayanghirang, as he emphasized that government services must always be present and within the reach of the ordinary people. “If the government’s presence is consistently felt in the communities, then there’s no reason that their (the Communist rebels) presence should remain there,” he added, noting that “the areas where the government is weak can be exploited by the enemy in building their strength”.
Governor Dayanghirang called on all members of the PPOC and all local chief executives to “seize the momentum of the province’s successes on peace and development through various initiatives”. “We need the support of everyone, especially all local chief executives, which include the mayors and Punong Barangays because they are our first line of defense against the insurgent group,” he said, adding that the Provincial Government will not let the decades-old hostilities in the province to resurface.
While Davao Oriental has been known for its flagship program Nagkakaisang Lingkod-Bayan ng Davao Oriental – Barangay Outreach Caravan, which forms a huge part in President Duterte’s Executive Order 70, one of his landmark national policy for peace and development, Governor Dayanghirang, in response, is set to pilot its localized implementation here.
“Our pilot barangay for the localized implementation of the EO 70 is Barangay Taocanga of Manay scheduled early next month.”
The Executive Order 70 also known as Institutionalizing the Whole of Nation Approach in attaining inclusive and sustained peace, creating a national task force to end local communist armed conflict and directing the adoption of the national peace framework calls for the end of all the armed threats in the Philippines. It also recognizes the socio-political stability by promoting participatory governance, synergy of the government development efforts, and enhancing the participation and responsibility of the local government units.
“Keeping Davao Oriental insurgency-free requires whole of the nation approach,” asserts the Governor.
In response, the mayors and all PPOC members have signified their support to the Governor’s call through the signing of the pledge of commitment as they vowed “to protect the constituents of Davao Oriental from armed threats by ensuring comprehensive orchestration of related peace efforts and initiatives of national government agencies, local government units, and various sectors of civil society.”
Photographed by Eden Jhan Licayan
No to Permit to Campaign
Meanwhile, in connection with the upcoming polls, Governor Nelson Dayanghirang has called on all local chief executives not to give support to the Communist New People’s Army who will be collecting fees in exchange for “permit to campaign”.
Governor Dayanghirang reiterated to all local chief executives not to give in to fear of the Communist group who are targeting political candidates of the upcoming midterm polls.
“We have the strong presence of the military and the police here so there should be no reason for candidates to be afraid of them,” said Governor Dayanghirang. Photos by Eden Jhan Licayan
