“Programs such as a Happy Home, E-CLIP, and the NLD or Nagkakaisang Lingkod-Bayan ng Davao Oriental (NLD) that bannered the whole of nation approach were pioneered here in the province,” Madrigal cited during his speech in the 52nd Araw nd Davao Oriental Anniversary Program held in the provincial capital, Mati City.
The AFP Chief of Staff used to lead the Eastern Mindanao Command which also covers the said province. In his stint, Madrigal worked hand in hand with the provincial government in combatting insurgency.
However, he himself witnessed how the government tackled and addressed the problem by using the whole of nation approach.
In the report of Davao Oriental Governor Nelson Dayanghirang, about 163 barangays out of 183 barangays in the province have been reached by the NLD Program since the program was launched in 2016.
The NLD reaches out to barangays through its Barangay Outreach Caravan, a government service that consolidates different government agencies and brings together social services to conflict-affected villages and Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA).
To sustain the program, the provincial government embraced Executive Order 70 or the creation of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).
“Davao Oriental became the first province in the country to successfully pilot the new directive through an immersion activity held in the hinterland village of New Taokanga in the Municipality of Manay,” Dayanghirang cited in his report.
The province also takes pride in its Happy Home program, a comprehensive rehabilitation program for rebel returnees. The Happy Home program has catered a total of 278 former rebels who benefitted on financial assistance, housing, and other social benefits.
One of which is the operation of Bal’lay Duwaan, a designated learing center for the children of former rebels.
Following its aggressive rolling out of peace and security programs in the grassroots, the provincial government laterally pours in effort to spur progress and development to the entire province.
Dayanghirang leads the province towards industrialization, particularly on agriculture, tourism and investments which are anticipated to create more jobs and a vibrant economy.
Early next year, he announced that Mati Airport will be operational with various related projects such as the construction of the airport building, fencing, and negotiation with an airline company to service inbound and outbound flights connecting Davao Oriental to the rest of the country.
