Kadiwa ng Pangulo: From Conflict to Cooperation in Hinterland Villages

COTABATO CITY – The Kadiwa sa Pangulo project has bolstered peace and security in former stronghold areas of communist insurgents in the hinterlands of Davao del Sur and Cotabato.

On July 17, seven people’s organizations in the now “insurgency-free areas” actively participated in the Kadiwa ng Pangulo project roll-out at the provincial capitol in Amas, Kidapawan.

Significant Progress

The Army’s 39th Infantry Battalion led by Lt. Col. Ezra Balagtey has made significant progress in securing several barangays at the boundary of Cotabato and Davao del Sur provinces from the influence of the New People’s Army (NPA).

The Kadiwa ng Pangulo project is an integral part of Malacañang’s endeavor to establish trading centers in remote areas, providing farmers with opportunities to sell their produce at fair prices.

Marycel Lambas, secretary of the Rano Farmers and Peace Advocates Association in Barangay Binaton, Digos City, expressed appreciation for the project’s expansion in border barangays between Davao del Sur and Cotabato.

In Makilala town, Emil Anding Atilano, recalled how the communist insurgents used to claim a portion of their farming earnings before.

Insurgency-Free

The government has declared these once insurgent-besieged barangays as insurgency-free.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Region 12 recently released a livelihood grant amounting to P246,000 for 82 families in Barangay San Vicente, Makilala town, Cotabato province. Past clashes between the government and NPA displaced these families.

Another people’s organization, the Tapicong Datalcolon Farmers Association launched its general merchandise business in Barangay Bacungan, Magsaysay, Davao del Sur.

The commendable efforts of the Army and the police in Cotabato and Davao del Sur earned recognition from national officials during President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s visit to Digos City last month.

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