AS THE Davao City’s peace effort program, Peace 911, turned a year last May 10, more barangays are expected to experience a “well-functioning government” as its coverage will be formally expanded.
Peace 911 focal person Elisa Lapiña on Friday, May 17, said a three-day celebration will be conducted on May 24 to 26 in Barangay Malabog in Paquibato District, wherein Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio will formally announce the expansion of Peace 911’s coverage from 14 to 17 barangays.
Originally, the program’s pilot areas are 14 barangays in Paquibato and Calinan Districts, but the areas were expanded to more barangays, including in Tugbok, Toril, and Marilog Districts.
Lapiña said during the celebration, updates on the program’s progress will also be delivered.
“Very strong ang insurgency sa mga areas strongly influenced by NPA. Now these barangays have been declared as cleared and ready for further development. Mag-expand na si mayor for the coverage of the Peace 911 due to public clamor. Mahirap ang area di nararating ng services because andiyan ang fear (There is very strong insurgency in areas influenced by NPA. Now these barangays have been declared as cleared and ready for further development. The mayor will formally expand Peace 911’s services due to public clamor. These areas remained to be poor because services are not reached due to fear),” she said.
A best practices turnover ceremony called “Uno Meets Dos” will be conducted on May 24. Wherein barangays Uno, areas first covered by the Peace 911 in 2018, will be meeting with barangays Dos, areas who were added in the coverage. Barangay officials together with representatives from the farmers, indigenous peoples, faith ministers, women, and youth sector will be joining in the transitory discussion.
The peace officer also said since the program was established, it has brought an impact to the daily lives of residents living the covered areas.
“Na-feel sa mga tao na there is a well-functioning government. Pero wala nila na-access ang services tungod sa fear. Karon, ang services gikan city government ma-fully implement na on the ground (The people already felt that there is a well-functioning government. There were services that reached on these areas, however, they were not accessed due to fear of insurgents. Now, the services from the city government will now be implemented on the ground),” Lapiña said.