DAVAO CITY (PIA) -- Davao del Sur will celebrate on May 25 its first anniversary as insurgency-free province in Davao Region.
Davao del Sur Public Information Office chief Sherwin Cesar said it was on May 25,2022 that a resolution was passed and approved by the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) chaired by Governor Marc Cagas that declared the province as insurgency-free province.
“The activities set on May 25 are historical for all the local government units of Davao del Sur, comprising nine municipalities and one city. We choose the theme,”Davsuranon nga kalinaw, alang sa maanyag nga Paraiso,” Cesar said.
He added that all local government units (LGUs) in the province are expected to join in the celebration, which will open through a motorcade from the Eastern community of Sta. Cruz, Southern communities of Malalag, Sulop, Kiblawan, Hagonoy and Padada and Western communities of Bansalan, Magsaysay and Matan-ao, all converging towards the Davao del Sur Coliseum in Barangay Matti, Digos City, Davao del Sur.
A Flag-raising ceremony, short program, song solo, dance contests and bands featuring former rebels and the indigenous peoples will follow.
Cesar revealed that all the LGUs are also expected to attend the three-day Peace Fair set on May 26 to 28 at a mall in Digos City.
He said the Peace Fair will feature the booths showing the products of peace such as tourist spots and investors due to the good peace and order condition of the entire province.
“Personnel from local government units will explain the goodness of the insurgency-free and its lasting effect in every area, particularly in bringing jobs and opportunities to the countryside communities,” Cesar said.
As a media practitioner, he said that he has not written any item regarding the rebel atrocities, which were a plenty in the past.
He said he has not heard even on the radio reports of rebel incursions in the communities.
“Bombings, burning of machineries, ambuscades on soldiers and police are things of the past,” Cesar said.
Philippine Army's 39th Infantry Battalion commanding officer Lt. Colonel Ezra Balagtey said that a validation is done prior to the declaration of the area as insurgency free between the Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police.
He said there was no rebel formation anywhere in Davao del Sur during the last quarter of 2021; no more influenced-barangays and no recovery efforts on areas once held by the rebels.
Balagtey disclosed there was a great improvement in the lives of the people in terms of livelihood and agricultural production since the province was declared as insurgency-free. (JSGD/PIA XI)
