Negros Oriental has officially been declared as a “Conflict-Manageable and Development-Ready” Province after Negros Oriental Gov. Roel R. Degamo, PCSUPT Danilo S. Constantino of the Police Regional Office 7 and Maj. Gen. Aurelio Baladad of the AFP 3rd Infantry Division signed the resolution during the formal declaration last May 7, 2014 at the Negros Oriental Convention Center.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by Department of National Defense Sec. Voltaire Gazmin, Bohol Governor Edgardo Chatto who is the Chairman of the Peace and Order Council of Region 7 and Maj. Gen. John Bonafos, AFP Central Command Chief in Visayas.
After several years of the combined peace efforts of the Philippine Army’s 302nd Brigade, the Negros Oriental Provincial Police and the local government to combat insurgency problems in the province, finally the province gain positive results.
The New People’s Army eventually decreased to an insignificant level hence they failed to launch a major tactical offensive against the army troops which manifests the province’s readiness for development.
With the declaration, Gov. Degamo anticipates more investors to come in which will result to more employment opportunities for the people of Negros Oriental.
The declaration is expected to boost the economy and the tourism industry of Negros Oriental.
He, however, said that this latest development will not make his administration sit on its laurels but rather it realized that it is even faced with the greater challenge of sustaining peace and order so that in the long run the province will attain an insurgency-free status.
Gov. Degamo further said the declaration does not warrant the pulling out of the army troops from Negros Oriental.
There will only be a shift in roles as the police force is to be gradually introduced to take charge of those barangays which are deemed safe.
As to the PNP, it assured everyone that they are prepared to take on the job and their new role.