DIGOS CITY, Davao del Sur – The people of Davao del Sur has committed this Thursday morning to sustain the gains of the Army’s Peace and Development Outreach Program (PDOP) after its successful province-wide implementation.
The Davao del Sur Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Center (JPSCC), composed of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division and the Provincial Police, have declared Davao del Sur liberated from the influence of the insurgent New People’s Army. The program, which started in October 2008, led to the surrender of 18 NPA regulars, four party members and 10 militias and withdrawal of allegiance to the NPA of some 2,280 members of the NPA underground mass organizations.
“This progress was achieved due to the united efforts of all people in the province with the unwavering support from the local government,” said Eldie Aguirre, President of the Tri-Media Association of Davao del Sur.
Aguirre added that he felt confident with the province’s Army and Police as they are focused in people-centered initiatives directed to protect the people from atrocities committed by the NPA.
Currently on the sustainment and development phase, the PDOP is being supported by the Provincial Government in implementing 123 sustainable livelihood programs spread across conflict-affected areas. Through the Needs Assessment Survey (NAS) conducted by the Army’s Peace and Development Teams, the province became a recipient of five Serbisyo Caravans of the Association of Regional Executives of National Agencies (ARENA) XI with tens of thousands of beneficiaries, the highest among all provinces in the region.
“Today’s Joint Area Clearing Completion Ceremony only signified that the Army will further strengthen its efforts in ensuring that peace and security within the province is fostered and sustained. With the successful implementation of the AFP’s Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) Bayanihan in Davao del Sur, the Army will continuously engage all stakeholders in opening up space for a convergent and collaborative effort in attaining our common goal of a just and lasting peace and sustainable development in this province,” said Lieutenant General Ricardo Rainier Cruz III, Commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command.
During the ceremony, peace and development partners of the Army were recognized for their invaluable contribution to the success of the PDOP. Representatives from the religious, academe, media and civil society sector including the program’s beneficiaries talked about their experience with the Army’s program, the impact it brought to the lives of the people and to the former NPA rebels, and their commitment to sustain the gains of PDOP.
Father Sonny Villahermosa of the Diocese of Digos and speaking in behalf of the religious sector said that back in 2012, he was surprised to see a group of b’laan leaders and Gagmay Kristohanong Katilingban (GKK) or Basic Christian Community who went to Malita and returned happy to the hinterlands. They were part of the Army’s Peace Building Seminar who received livelihood assistance.
“I commend our military and the LGU for addressing the needs of the people. The religious people is one in our peace effort and always in solidarity with the Army and the LGU in our pursuit for the peace and development initiatives in the province,” added Father Villahermosa.
“The peace education is mandated and integrated in all schools’ curriculum and we are grateful of our partnership with the Army in teaching our future leaders the value of peace. We have seen how the Army is accepted by the students and we look forward for more years of partnership in spreading the culture of peace,” added Tessie Miralles, Assistant Vice President of University of Mindanao Digos Campus and speaking in behalf of the academe sector.
“The journey to peace is long and most rewarding. It is not simple and quite high. But with the full commitment and the Bayanihan effort of the Province together with its people and all stakeholders, we can sustain the gains of PDOP,” said Governor Claude Bautista.
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