The Davao City Advisory Committee on Peace and Development (DC-PEACE DEV) through its implementing arm, Peace 911, is eyeing to develop the Paquibato District by integrating it in its development efforts.
According to Atty. Elisa Lapeña, Focal Person of Peace 911, Paquibato has been a stronghold of the rebel New People’s in the midst of 40,000 residents on the area neglected by government’s services and assistance.
“For the longest time, people from Paquibato felt they were neglected. They do not receive any services coming from the government. Paquibato is left unattended,” Atty. Lapeña said.
The reconstruction of DC-PEACE DEV from the former City Local Peace Committee (DC-PEACE) came after President Duterte cut ties with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA after the failed peace talks, thus changing its strategy in addressing issues and concerns of insurgency and how it affects the residents of Davao City.
Through DC-PEACE DEV, Peace 911 aims to properly align with existing national policies and local government plans and initiatives in bringing lasting peace and economic sustainability on affected areas such as Paquibato.
DC-PEACE DEV has conducted series of consultations in different conflict areas particularly in the 13 barangays of Paquibato district and one barangay in Calinan.
Col. Luciano Caiman, Commanding Officer 89th Infantry Brigade said that since the Peace 911 program took off last December 2017, people from affected communities like Paquibato district are slowly regaining the trust from the military.
“Peace 911 is of big help in restoring the peace of the area. We exerted our efforts in bridging the services of the government to the people. We were able to bring back the trust of the people in the community,” Col. Caiman said.
One of its efforts in bringing them the services of the government, a budget of P3.2 billion is planned to be allocated in creating a one-stop shop of government services in the area such as basic health, infrastructure and others.
Since the implementation of Peace 911, a peace body created by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, a total of 22 former rebels have surrendered to the city government, 10 of which come from Paquibato district.
“Since Peace 911 came, we have brought the services of the government. With this, there has been an increase of surrenderees, even the supporters. Because they scared to be addressed as part of the NPA,” Col. Caiman said.
Caiman believed that the efforts made by the government and the military helped in changing the perspective of the people in the community.
“At that time, they do not know that the government exists. With the help of Peace 911, we were able to deliver the right perspective about our government,” Col. Caiman said.
He also added that since the captivity of Ka Jinggoy, the presence of the rebels sought their minimal presence.
