Gov’t declares Monkayo in Comval as ‘area ready for development’

Monkayo Municipal Hall (Photo as of year 2016) - ctto

MONKAYO, Comval, Davao
— Another former communist-stronghold, Monkayo town in Compostella Valley, was declared by the government as an “area ready for development” as conflict has become manageable.
Monkayo Mayor Joselito Brillantes and Lt. Col. Ismael Mandanas Jr., commanding officer of the Army’s 25th Infantry Battalion (IB), made the declaration in a memorandum of understanding signed on Wednesday.

With the declaration of Monkayo as conflict manageable and development-ready area, the Army unit has turned over internal security effort to the Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC) led by the local government.

Capt. Rhyan Batchar, public affairs chief of the Army’s 10thInfantry Division (ID), said that the declaration is a milestone for the people of Monkayo, which has suffered the stigma of being tagged as communist New People’s Army (NPA) infested area for years.
“For so long Monkayo, suffered the stigma brought about by the perception that it is infested with communist terrorists or NPAs. That perception ended yesterday,” said Batchar.
“The representatives of the people of Monkayo made a stand for their children and their children’s sake,” he added.

Monkayo Municipal Hall (SDC Files as of year 2011 ) 

Batchar stressed that the declaration was made following continuous consultations between the military and the local government of Monkayo.
The municipal government of Monkayo and 25th IB both agreed that the intent of the hand-over is to build confidence among the people and the different stakeholders in order to create an environment that is conducive to socioeconomic, cultural and spiritual development.
“This also signifies the willingness and commitment of the MPOC to take the lead and make a stand in ensuring that Monkayo attains its potential to the fullest for the sake of the future generation,” Batchar said.


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