MATI CITY, Davao Oriental, July 29--- Military commanders based in the Province of Davao Oriental bared on Thursday, July 25 the secrets behind the success of the peace and development efforts initiated here by the Philippine Army in tandem with the Provincial Government during the Battalion Commander’s Symposium at Panacan, Davao City, where Battalion Commanders from the 4th and 10th Infantry Divisions and other Operation Control Units of the Eastern Mindanao Command have convened.
Lt. Col. Krishnamurti Mortela, Battalion Commander of the 67th IB operating in the province’s first district and Lt. Col. Francisco Lorenzo, Jr., Battalion Commander of the 28th IB taking charge of the second district, concurred that the synergistic relationship between the Philippine Army and the local government was key in achieving sustainable peace the province now enjoys especially in the rural areas formerly flagged as conflict hotspots.
LTC Mortela noted that under the Philippine Army’s Integrated Community Public Safety System, the military, civilians and police components have merged and worked together. This strategy, he stated, helped in fostering peace and even aid in opening businesses and livelihood opportunities, which provided additional income for the residents in these far-flung areas.
“Peace can be achieved by winning the hearts and minds of the people through immersing in the communities and by taking the lead on livelihood projects,” Mortela said, stressing that the government should eye on the most vulnerable population groups that include farmers, peasants, and the youth.
Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon, who was invited as guest speaker to provide insights of the province’s best practices in peace and development divulged that providing the basic needs of the community is imperative in sustaining lasting peace, emphasizing the importance of making the government’s presence and services felt. “I am convinced more than ever that winning peace is just winning the hearts of the people and a simple way of winning the hearts is by being sensitive and responsive to what matters most to them,” she said.
During the session, LTC Mortela divulged that a Barangay Health Station will soon be constructed in a remote village in the first district along with other infrastructure projects. He also said that he was able to source out funds from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) who earmarked 250,000 pesos for livelihood trainings, and has also submitted a 450,000 pesos project proposal for native chicken production in Boston town.
Mortela further urged his fellow military officials to tap assistance from other non-government organizations, both national and international to initiate development projects in the communities since the government’s resources are limited.
LTC Lorenzo of the 28th IB said that the provision of transportation services, manpower assistance to projects, among others were also crucial in maintaining the good image of the army and gives the people confidence on the armed forces presence in their communities, which is to provide aid and security.
Meanwhile, Governor Malanyaon vowed her continued all out support to the peace and development efforts of the Philippine Army. She underscored that the funds allocated for peace and order must be appropriately spent as to how it is intended to be used—a challenge that she gave to the chief executives in her province as to how they would spend their peace and order funds.
During the discussion, Gov. Malanyaon said that the role of the military is to identify the problems in the community and to recommend solutions, while the local government unit defines the projects deemed needed in a certain community.
As the Philippine Army is imminently handing over their area of operation to the LGU’s, both commanders vowed to retain troops stationed at the area of operation and in the boundaries as they have committed to sustain the peace and prevent insurgencies to permeate the borders.
LTC Mortela noted the significance of sustaining the peace achieved. “If this is not being sustained, it would just die a ‘natural death’,” he said.
The Battalion Commander’s Symposium is a yearly program of the Philippine Army to update its Battalion Commanders on the current policies and thrust. The symposium was also a venue where the participants had the opportunity to discuss critical issues and strategies as well as best practices in peace and development.
Plenary sessions on each of these topics were led by experts in the field, including Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon who shared her province’s best practices on the Provincial Government and Philippine Army collaboration. (Karen Lou Deloso, PIO Davao Oriental)
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