Tuesday, March 06, 2007 Good gov't advocates seek Congress seat
AN ALLIANCE of "good government" advocates is seeking a congressional seat as party list group in its bid to raise the marginalized people of Mindanao to new heights.
"Damgo (Democratic Alliance of Mindanaoaons for Good Government) envisions a modern, progressive Mindanao with a globally competitive economy, a dynamically empowered people, united as one, transcending cultural, religious, ideological and ethnic diversities," Fernando H. Toquillo, Damgo president said.
Toquillo pointed out that armed conflict, criminality, lawlessness, high poverty incidence and land disparity are the "faces of marginalized people" in Mindanao.
Professor Moner M. Bajunaid, Damgo vice president, said that democracy or grassroots participation, solidarity or interdependence and good governance are key factors that Mindanaoans must consider in order to "move on."
Damgo is a regional political party duly registered and accredited by the Commission on Elections (Comelec). It was organized in 1998 and was revitalized with expanded membership in 2006.
"The party is dedicated to the advancement of peace and development of the marginalized sectors of Mindanao," Bajunaid said, adding that, "it fully adheres to the democratic tenets under a truly participative republican state."
Toquillo explained that among Damgo's platforms are to lift the status of the poorest of the poor, create a large middle class, work for an integrated and comprehensive approach to economic development, promote social entrepreneurship as the foundation of economic policy.
"It shall endeavor to strengthen the network of cooperative societies," he noted.
"We in Damgo also believe that a strong family is the fabric of society that deserves the care and protection of the state," Toquillo said. (JCK)
