DAVAO CITY – The Davao city government will launch on Thursday its peace-building program for areas known to have significant New People’s Army (NPA) presence.
The launching in Paquibato Proper, this city, will be spearheaded by the Davao City Advisory Committee on Peace and Development (DC Peace Dev), the local peace body that Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio created last year to initiate negotiations with the communist rebel group.
City Information Officer Jefry Tupas said the comprehensive peace-building program for Paquibato District was conceived after months of consultations between community members and the DC Peace Dev.
Paquibato District, located in the city’s second congressional district, used to be a stronghold of the NPA in the early 80s, hindering the delivery of basic services and development in the area.
Tupas said the program includes components for agriculture, health, youth, women, security, Indigenous Peoples, and education.
As part of its functions, the DC Peace Dev oversees the implementation of poverty-alleviation programs recommended by communities where NPA maintains significant presence.
Mayor Sara has earlier cited poverty as the primary reason that pushes people in the rural areas to join the communist insurgency.
She said that with or without the peace talks between the government and the rebel group, the city’s development efforts will be sustained.
Duterte-Carpio cancelled the localized peace negotiation with the NPA following the declaration by President Rodrigo Duterte of the communist rebels as terrorists.
Still, the mayor decided not to dissolve DC-Peace Dev so that consultations and development works in far-flung communities can continue. (Lilian C. Mellejor/PNA)
