CATBALOGAN CITY – Secretary Jesus “Jess” Dureza of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) urged the public, to include in the business sector and officials in the region, to join and help the campaign of the administration to achieve a long-lasting peace in the country.
Dureza made this appeal during his visit to this city on Monday (Sept.25) as he was the guest speaker on the culmination program on the national peace consciousness month celebration of the province.
“We want peace for everyone.I am urging businessmen to invest in peace. Investing is a risk but when a place progresses, you the first to prosper,” Dureza said.
Dureza has been going around the country as part of the so-called peace caravan which is to end on October 3 at the war-torn Marawi City.
But the OPAPP secretary said that he wants to end the peace caravan in Iligan City to “highlight the humanitarian side of peace.”
The gathering was held at the headquarters of the 8th Infantry Division and attended by Governors Leopoldo Dominico Petilla of Leyte; Jose Ong of Northern Samar; Marcelo Ferdinand Picardal of Eastern Samar and Sharee Ann Tan of Samar who is also the regional chair of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC).
Also in attendance were Major General Raul Farnacio, commanding general of the 8th ID; Chief Supt. Gilberto Cruz, police regional director; and Calbayog Bishop Isabelo Abarquez.
During the gathering, Gov. Tan presented the peace road map of her province.
Under the peace road map, the provincial government will promote the tourism sites in conflict areas that would lead not only tourism promotion but provide livelihood opportunities and stop them from joining the outlawed movement.
“With jobs available, I am sure they would no longer be convinced to join (the insurgency movement) because we are offering jobs,” Tan said. (VICKY C. ARNAIZ)
