AgSur joint Peace and Security Coordinating Committee meeting held with one aim: Peace and Development

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 22): AgSur joint Peace and Security Coordinating Committee meeting held with one aim: Peace and Development

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur - The first Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Committee meeting was held here Wednesday in order to discuss plans and programs that will address the peace and development issues and should be given attention by the local government of Agusan del Sur, the army and the police.

According to 4th Infantry Division Commander Gen. Oscar Lactao, the presence of the army in anyplace of the country is not to combat the Filipino people but to install peace and harmony at the area, while the national and local government units will focus on development while implementing government programs and projects needed by the people.

“We, in the military really appreciate the efforts, partnership and cooperation by the people in Agusan del Sur under the leadership of Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza. During our courtesy call with Gov. Plaza a while ago, we really appreciate the programs and projects that the provincial government has designed for Agusan del Sur. No wonder that from number 31 poorest of the poor 10 years ago, you are now I think number 75 in the rank. Therefore, we in the military, are inspired to work with you in order to attain lasting peace and development. If it is needed, we are willing to add more personnel to work with you,” Gen. Lactao said.

Gov. Plaza on his message said the provincial government is giving weight to the development of the upland areas. Plaza said his administration is focusing on the harmonization of local and national resources in order to fast track access to upland areas especially that tremendous damages were inflected by the recent typhoon Seniang.

“We have already started implementing our programs in the upland areas. Roads and bridges were already constructed and repaired through the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan or the PAMANA program of the national government in order to have easy access to farmers bringing down their products to the market. But of course, I admit on the slow implementation of the program called the Upland Sustainable Agri-forestry and Development (USAD) because along the way, we are encountering complex problems like the tenurial instruments,” Gov. Plaza said.

Gov. Plaza added that since every municipality has different needs that must be addressed by the national government, programs must also be specific to the needs of the locals so that they will surely serve the purpose.

“We have observed that many national programs do not pass the local government, and we want to emphasize that it will not harmonize the implementation. Also, we want to let all stakeholders in the government that local plans should be given recognition so that implementation of programs and projects will surely address the needs of the local people specially in the hinterlands,” Gov. Plaza added.

Gov. Plaza also stressed that all economic programs must be included when talking of peace and order so that both programs will be synchronized to address local issues, concerns and needs.

“As we target to reduce poverty incidence by six percent per year, we need your support in maintaining peace and order in order to realize our dreams of economic prosperity and peace,” Gov. Plaza said.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1731421904280/agsur-joint-peace-and-security-coordinating-committee-meeting-held-with-one-aim-peace-and-development