Paquibato District declared as development ready area

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jun 13): Paquibato District declared as development ready area

Authorities formally declared Paquibato District in Davap City as a development ready area, in time for the commemoration of the 116th Independence Day at Barangay Paquibato Proper.

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte   led the local barangay chairs, members of the Association of Regional Executives of National Agencies 11, the 10th Infantry Division, Eastern Mindanao Command, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, civil society organizations and the residents of Paquibato in signing the manifesto supporting the thrust and commitment for the development of the area.

The manifesto signified the aspiration of the residents for a lasting peace, progress and prosperity.

“In the spirit of the whole of nation-concept, we pledge to provide the services of respective government agencies to reach out to the marginalized families in far-flung communities, complementing the programs and services of the city government of Davao in helping Paquibato District as a development ready community,” the manifesto said.

Lt. General Emmanuel Bautista, chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines also lead other military commanders in signing the manifesto while Engr. Mariano Alquiza, president of the ARENA 11, Efren Elbanbuena, regional director of the Philippine Information Agency 11, Retired Brig. General Loreto Rirao, director of the Office of Civil Defense affixed their respective signatures to the manifesto.

Mayor Duterte reiterated his stance that he is the mayor of all regardless of political and ethnic affiliation.

He told the rebels to spare and not to destroy the peace monument in Paquibato which states the prayer and aspiration for peace to rein in the area.

Duterte said that as Filipinos, soldiers and rebels are not really enemies, but might only have differences in principles.

He called on Leoncio Pitao, alias Kumander Parago of the Pulang Bagani Command 1 not to do harassment against the government troops.

“Pick up your fights.  It is not all the time you hurt a soldier or any government functionary, what you get out of it,” Duterte pointed out.

He also told the public that he will not resort to rid of Kumander Parago.

Duterte said he no longer has anyone to talk to on incidents like abduction of soldiers.

“It is not all the time that we arrest you because you are rebels, for what?” he pointed out.

He proposed to the rebels to allow the entry of Malaysian and Thai investors who would venture on palm oil plantation in Paquibato.

Duterte said the investors need 100,000 hectares of land for their operation.

“I am offering this now to the New People’s Army in front of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, it does not mean that you will surrender.  Simply set aside your weapons, talk to the investors by coming up with a joint venture, where you land will be used as plantation at a price you agree on,” he said.

Duterte said, he will ask the President and the military that in the mean time, the rebels and the residents will enjoy the venture in terms of work and income.

Bautista urged everyone to preserve the gains of peace and to reject violence.

He hoped that everyone will cooperate in the realization in the aspiration of Paquibato of residents following the declaration of Paquibato’s readiness to development.

Bautista pledged the determination of the military to defend the peace in Paquibato District.

“We can only achieve this if we help one another.  We need your cooperation,” he told the Paquibato residents.

Bautista also called on the rebels to join in the mainstream society and be one in the realization of peace and development.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=2381402644883