Local execs say peace, development attainable in Mindanao
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s dream of bringing peace and development in Mindanao and the entire
country can be attained particularly with the continued provision of vital services for the marginalized sector.
In a media briefing this afternoon in Malacanang, Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario said the
government is ready for the peace negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and other rebel
groups.
“The government is really ready to strike a peace negotiation with the rebels,” Del Rosario said.
Present during the briefing were Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan, Marinduque
Governor Jose Antonio Carreon, Basilan Governor Jum Akbar, Dinagat Island Governor Geraldine Ecleo,
Antique Governor Sally Perez, Catanduanes Governor Joseph Cua, Romblon Governor Natalio Beltran III and
Quirino Governor Dax Cua.
Del Rosario said the President’s continued provision of social services particularly for the marginalized sector
is crucial in the government efforts to help nurture a culture of peace and non-violence.
In her last State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA), the President said there is nothing more that she could wish
for than peace in Mindanao where Muslims, Christians, lumads and other religious communities “can live
together in peace, harmony and cooperation.”
Last July 23, the President ordered a suspension of offensive military operations (SOMO) as part of her policy
directive to advance stability and peace in the conflict-affected areas of Mindanao and provide a stable
environment for the resumption of the peace talks between government and the MILF.
The President’s move was immediately reciprocated by the MILF by announcing their own suspension of
military action (SOMA).
“This is now the right time for the President to come up with a negotiation. We are ready,” Del Rosario said.
To date, Del Rosario said rebel groups such as the New People’s Army (NPA) are really seeing that the
government is providing the needed livelihood assistance and social services through the help of local
government units (LGUs).
“We are all-out to support the program of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in providing all of the services that
is required by our people if only to be able to help attain that very elusive peace in Mindanao,” Del Rosario said.
Governor Tan said the ongoing implementation of the 1996 peace agreement is running smoothly with the
Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) particularly in Sulu.
Carreon said ongoing negotiations continue for the surrender and inclusion of three other NPAs under the
government’s social integration program, to make them productive members of society.
In partnership with the government, the local government officials said local peace initiatives will continue on
the ground to steadily persuade rebels to return to the folds of the law.
In 2007, the President allocated P500 million to cover livelihood programs for rebel returnees as part of her
initiatives to bring peace and development in the country.
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PGMA projects in Iloilo are "felt, seen and experienced" - Banias
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ILOILO CITY -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s projects in Iloilo, and the rest of Western Visayas, are
tangible developments that can be “felt, seen and experienced” in the region.
Presidential Adviser for Western Visayas Raul Banias said regional leaders in various provinces have all
expressed the same sentiments that if they combine the accomplishments of the previous administrations, it
all pales in comparison with what President Arroyo did to uplift the lives of people here.
Banias met with President Arroyo here today with the other local officials to oversee the development of various
infrastructure projects the Chief Executive earlier prioritized.
The Presidential Adviser said the regional leaders in Western Visayas have valued the President’s
accomplishments in the region ranging from roads, bridges, airports, the Roll-On, Roll-Off (RORO) project,
ports and the Chief Executive’s huge investment in basic education.
Banias noted that Iloilo residents appreciate the President’s support for the province’s development.
“The region has really benefited from those projects. I am doubly glad the President can very well remember
the devastation that we had experienced last year during typhoon Frank. We did not expect that she will
mention it again during the state-of-the-nation-address (SONA). She had a very clear statement that she wants
the funds for the rehabilitation be acted upon and the revenue bill in the Senate be passed,” he added.
In the Western Visayas infrastructure development front, the region has two new airports –the Iloilo Airport and
the new Bacolod-Silay Airport.
Banias pointed out that there’s an ongoing airport development in Kabankalan and the upgrading of the Kalibo
Airport in Aklan.
He added that there are many projects lined up including the Silay-Talisay-Bacolod Access Road project and
the upgrading of Caticlan Airport.
The flood control program in Iloilo, he noted, is almost 95 percent finished.
“Last March during the visit of the President in Boracay, she released upon our request Php481 million for the
repair of bridges here in Iloilo and the dredging of Kalibo river which is funded with about Php100 million. The
President is not remiss in helping the Ilonggos,” he said.
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