Residents bring peace and unity campaign on city streets

DAVAO ORIENTAL — A group of residents from far-flung communities have taken to the streets of the City of Mati their campaign for peace and unity during a staged Peace Rally last May 13, Saturday. Despite the drizzle, the 185 residents of five villages in the City of Mati, who had just completed a four-day Peace Building Seminar, went round the city aboard military trucks holding peace signages while enthusiastically promoting peace. The new graduates of the Peace Building Seminar were residents of nine sitios in the villages of Sainz, Matiao, Central, Taguibo, and Buso – villages known to have a small fraction of residents being influenced by leftist ideology. Mostly farmers, they wholeheartedly accepted their role as citizens of the nation.

Col. Reuben Basiao, Commander of the 701st Brigade of the Philippine Army, among those spearheading the activity, said these people were simply victims of the ‘deception’ of the Communist New People’s Army Rebels. He explained that the Province of Davao Oriental has gone through a dramatic change over the past few years: “Davao Oriental is different from what it had been when I left it in 2011 in comparison to today’s development. Paved roads are almost everywhere cutting down travel time while aiding farmers and residents on their livelihood.” He highlighted the Provincial Government-initiated Nagkakaisang Lingkod ng Davao Oriental (NLD) Barangay Outreach Caravan which has been bringing much-needed services especially to the most depressed communities.

During the peace building seminar, the participants were taught about the spirit of nationalism and love for country. The seminar educated them that each individual has a role to take in upholding the country’s peace and freedom. Lectures on livelihood were delivered by speakers from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Trade and Industry, the City Planning Office, and the City Information Office. The participants also had a tour to some of Davao Oriental’s exquisite tourism destinations, namely: Subangan Provincial Museum in the City of Mati, Mount Hamiguitan World Heritage Park in San Isidro town and Pusan Point Eco Park in Caraga town.

The said seminar is part of the Philippine Army’s peace program called Community Support Program which will be formally launched next week in the City of Mati. Being supported by the local and provincial governments, the program directly involves the communities’ participation in peace building and development. (from article by Karen Lou Deloso)