Peace Programs Continue to Gain Ground

DAVAO ORIENTAL — The military and the provincial government’s innovative programs for peace and development in the province continue to gain ground. During the last quarterly meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council in November at Lanes Kitaanan in the City of Mati, the Philippine Army said that the government’s strategic interventions have paved way for its significant feats on peace and development, especially the dent on insurgency and conflicts here.

Newly promoted 701st Infantry Brigade Commander Brigadier General Reuben S. Basiao said that the full participation of the community and the convergence of all government stakeholders have become the primary keys in this achievement. The Philippine Army’s Community Support Program (CSP), which is being piloted in Davao Oriental, alongside the Provincial Government’s initiative program — Nagkakaisang Lingkod-Bayan ng Davao Oriental Barangay Outreach Caravan are two programs demonstrating this successful convergence.

Under the CSP, troops of the two battalions based in the province– the 67th and 28th Infantry Battalions, together with government agencies have introduced various interventions designed to build confidence and trust among the people in the community while strengthening the government’s presence in conflict-vulnerable area, explained Lt. Col. Jacob Thaddeus Obligado, Commander of the 67th Infantry Battalion. In the community, soldiers are seen working together with the locals in undertakings such as vegetable production, tilapia culture, livestock raising, distribution of coconut and falcata seedlings, and livelihood trainings, among others, as part of the program’s quick impact projects.

Further empowering the communities, the program has also been helping organize various people’s organizations in the barangays, mainly consisting of women, farmers, and motorcycle drivers, among others. With its own structure already laid in place, these organizations become ideal venue to educate people on relevant social and political issues while encouraging them to actively participate in the development process of their own community. (Karen Lou Deloso)