CEBU, Philippines – “Insurgency has no place in Negros Oriental for as long as I am the governor of this province,” Governor Roel Degamo declared during the culmination of the National Peace Consciousness Month celebration in Dumaguete City on Sunday.
Degamo said insurgency in the province has become insignificant because his administration was sincere and determined to address the root cause of poverty and by bringing government closer to the people through basic social services or Bayanihan activities in the hinterland barangays.
A committee, headed by Father Enrique Balongag of the Colegio de Sta. Catalina of Alejandria, was earlier tasked to look into the status of the declaration of the province as a conflict-manageable and development-ready place.
The governor said he was satisfied with the panel’s initial findings, and he urged the military, the police and the Negrenses themselves to help preserve the gains and strive for an insurgency-free province before the year ends.
Lieutenant Colonel, Harold Pascua, commander of the 79th Infantry Battalion, confirmed that more than a year since the declaration of the province as conflict-manageable and development-ready, government troops has not been into violent encounters with the New People’s Army rebels, particularly in the province’s 2nd and 3rd districts.
Senior Superintendent Dionardo Carlos, OIC provincial police director, for his part said his command, in partnership with the Philippine Army, headed by Col. Alan Martin, has committed to help preserve peace in Negros Oriental.
The culmination event was also marked with the awarding of the winners in the Art For Peace contest. The awardees were: Champion—Frederick Amores of the Valencia National High School; 2nd place—Dianne Yoic Capnoy of the Negros Oriental High School; and 3rd place—Lunally Duria of the Balugo National High School.