Military, LGU declare Agusan Del Norte as ‘conflict-manageable’

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 14): Military, LGU declare Agusan Del Norte as ‘conflict-manageable’

The military on Monday declared Agusan Del Norte and its capital city of Butuan as “conflict-manageable and development ready” areas.

Capt. Patrick Martinez, spokesperson of the Army's 4th Infantry Division (4ID), said that the various peace-building efforts undertaken by the military and the local government units (LGUs) have spurred development in the area.

Martinez made the disclosure during the joint ceremony held at the Provincial Training Center, Provincial Capitol, Agusan Del Norte attended by key government, AFP and PNP officials on Monday.

He said that the people of Agusan Del Norte and its city deserve to enjoy the fruits of growth under a peaceful environment.

He said that the infrastructure development in the province is now in place and Agusan Del Norte is in the “position to propel growth in the region.”

In his message, Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante Jr., of Butuan City, said “we thank the soldiers for sacrificing their lives on accomplishing this kind of environment.”

Lt. Gen. Leonardo Rey Guererro, commander, Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom), said that the ceremony is the military’s “seal of our commitment of working together to ensure a better environment for growth for the people of this province.”

Guererro, who was the guest speaker of the ceremony, said that the journey has just begun and urged the LGUs to continue the advocacy to sustain the gains in socioeconomic development in the area.

Gov. Angelica Amante-Matba of Agusan Del Norte, said that the declaration showed that attaining a “conflict-manageable condition” could be done through the collective efforts of stakeholders.

The governor, however, said that the peace and development efforts should continue, especially in far flung communities where the people need to feel that the government is working for them.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=866469