Two more districts in NegOcc declared ‘peaceful, ready for further development’

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 7): Two more districts in NegOcc declared ‘peaceful, ready for further development’

Two more congressional districts in Negros Occidental, the Second and Third Districts, were also declared “peaceful and ready for further development districts.”

The declaration was made during the regular meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council in the city Monday. Earlier this year, the Fourth District in southern Negros was the first to be declared as such.

Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr., chairman of PPOC, said the province was blessed with a relatively stable peace and order situation and it held promise as an investment destination in central Philippines, evident in the number of investors coming to the province.

The governor congratulated the officials of the Second and Third Districts, both located in northern Negros, for making their areas “peaceful and ready for further development.”

Second District is composed of the cities of Sagay and Cadiz, and the Municipality of Manapla while the Third District is composed of the cities of Victorias, Silay, and Talisay, and the municipalities of E.B. Magalona and Murcia.

Sagay City is the hometown of Marañon, where he became mayor for several years. He was also congressman of the Second District for three terms.

Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Jon Aying, commander of the Army's 303rd Infantry Brigade, refuted the claim of the New People's Army that their number was increasing in Negros Occidental.

"The rebels can say what they want, but the truth that the government is prevailing will always come out," Aying said.

Aying said the absence of insurgency-related incidents for more than a decade and the positive indicators of improved delivery of basic social services are among the considerations for an area to qualify as “peaceful and ready for further development.”

He added that military troops in Negros Occidental would continue to step up its peace and security efforts so that the province will eventually be declared “peaceful and ready for further development.”

Peace declaration is one of the Army’s priorities for the province this year, said Aying, who was recently promoted from colonel to brigadier general.

During the PPOC meeting, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Negros Occidental also gave a status report on the Comprehensive Local Integration Program of Negros Occidental.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=750990