SurSur declared as “Conflict Manageable and Development Ready” province

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 19): SurSur declared as “Conflict Manageable and Development Ready” province

Surigao del Sur has been declared “Conflict Manageable and Development Ready” province during the First Quarter Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting held at the headquarters of the 36th Infantry Battalion at Barangay Dayoan, Tago town, this province on January 15, 2016.

Governor Johnny Pimentel, PPOC chair, who was presiding over the entire proceeding, banged the gavel to mark the unprecedented declaration as the meeting was nearly coming to an end.

 “So the resolution, if there is no objection, is unanimously seconded and hereby approved declaring the province as ready for investment and conflict manageable,” the governor stressed.

This was on motion of Board Member Henrich Pimentel, Peace and Order Council member and chair of the Peace and Order Committee of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, taking the cue from the proposal of Col. Isidro Purisima, 402nd Infantry Brigade commander, after the latter concluded his “Updates on Peace and Security” report by posing a question to the body whether Surigao del Sur, his area of responsibility (AOR), was indeed “Conflict Manageable and Development ready?”

But right after the report of Purisima, the governor had already made his compliment, saying “I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate the 402nd Brigade and the attached battalions for a big accomplishment.”

Beforehand, the brigade chief pointed out “six conditions” before coming up with the move, citing “Civilian authorities take responsibility in issues on peace, security and development; Security condition is conducive for business and investment to flourish; Effective control of armed violence; Peace and Order Council (POC) effectively working, functioning and operational; LGU and PNP effectively addressing the local criminality problem; and Security situation paves way of the entry of investors and infrastructure development projects.”

In addition, Governor Pimentel acknowledged the fact that the army was instrumental in successfully thwarting the holding of the New People’s Army (NPA) of the 47th founding anniversary celebration of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) here in the province.

“For the first time in 15 years, the holding of the anniversary of the NPA was cancelled because of their efforts.  We have observed that Surigao del Sur has been a favorite place wherein they would like to conduct their anniversaries. But for the first time in how many years they were able to prevent the holding of the anniversary.  This is already a big accomplishment and I believe a big blow to the propaganda of the New People’s Army,” the governor remarked.”

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1741453104846/sursur-declared-as-conflict-manageable-and-development-ready-province