Back from a 2-day benchmarking activities at Davao Oriental last week with the provincial department heads, Cotabato Governor Nancy A. Catamco prepares now for the launching of the province’s counter-insurgency program to be guided still by the WONA or the “whole-of-nation approach” based on President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s Executive Order 70 and modeled by the EO’s pilot area, Davao Oriental.
In November 2016, Davao Oriental Governor Nelson L. Dayanghirang along with 24 municipal and national offices and 75 private and civil organizations including national offices led by Brigade Commander Manuel Sequiten of the 701st Brigade, Davao Oriental Police Provincial Director Marcial Mariano Magistrado and DILG Provincial Director Orle Cabaobao, the provincial government launched its local peace program, the Nagkakaisang LingkodBayan ng DAvOr-Barangay Outreach Caravan (NLD-BOC).
To date, NLD-BOC was able to visit and provide basic assistance like accessible roads, potable water system, food, educational and medical assistance to 122 of its total 183 Geographically Isolated and Displaced Areas (GIDA) and the Conflict Affected Areas (CAAs).
During the joint visit of Davao Oriental and North Cotabato to one of Davao Oriental’s farthest areas, Barangay Concepcion, Manay, Governor Dayanghirang disclosed that community participation was very critical in their fight against armed conflict, insurgency and even in the anti-illegal drugs campaign.
“I am happy that the team of Governor Catamco joined us today as we reach out and deliver basic services to our geographically disadvantaged constituents here in Davao Oriental. Welcome North Cotabato, let’s continue joining hands in pursuing peace and development in our respective localities”, Dayanghirang said.
Davao Oriental was recognized with a Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award by the Civil Service Commission for advocating sustainable peace and was also cited in its campaign on anti-prohibited drugs with a Presidential Gold Award and was conferred with Kapayapaan Award by the Armed Forces of the Philippines in fostering lasting peace and progress.
Inspired by Davao Oriental’s commitment in advancing peace and development through participatory, multi-sectoral and inclusive governance, Cotabato Governor Nancy Catamco is keen on emulating the Davao Oriental’s good practices especially its EO 70 implementation in North Cotabato.
As she thanked the Honorable Governor for the warm reception, Catamco has also congratulated Governor Dayanghirang for his peace and development efforts and expressed optimism that such will also be achieved in North Cotabato.
“Poverty, I believe is not the real problem, it is the seeming lack of concern of some officials. EO 70 is very timely and it is a paradigm shift. Indeed, we need to be sincere in addressing the root cause of insurgency. Thank you Governor Dayanghirang for this opportunity, we will be bringing your brand of governance which is anchored on collaboration, convergence, dialogue and consultation here in North Cotabato”, Governor Catamco declared. \\ozg//
