Speech of President Ferdinand R. Marcos on the Declaration of Misamis Occidental as an Insurgency-free Province

Speeches 27 September 2024

Thank you, Secretary Gilbert Teodoro for your kind introduction.

[Please be seated.]

To the lead agency when it comes to our peace efforts not only here in Mis.Occ. but in all of the conflict areas, the Peace and Reconciliation and Unity Advisor Secretary “Charlie” Galvez Jr.; the Mindanao Development Authority Secretary, Secretary Leo Magno; Misamis Occidental First District Representative Jason Almonte; Misamis Occidental Second District Representative Sancho Oaminal; and our—hindi ko nalang sasabihing old friend kasi mahahalata tayo pare-pareho. We were all together, magkasama kami together with Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, when we were a little younger than we are now sa Kabataang Barangay and we have been working together since then —t o our good governor, Governor Henry Oaminal [Sr.]; Tangub City mayor, Mayor Sabiniano Canama, and the other elected officials, both from the province and of the city; ang aking mga kasamahan sa pamahalaan; ating pinaka-importante, ang ating mga kasama rito na —‘Yang kapayapaan ay hindi po naipapanalo ng iisang tao lamang, kaya lahat po kayo, lahat po ng ating mga military, lahat po ng ating mga civilian government, kayo po, at lalo na ang mga beneficiary ngayon natin, kayo ang pinakamahalaga na bisita namin ngayong araw na ito.

Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon.

We are gathered here today to celebrate a historic occasion, one that also took time in the making, the declaration of Misamis Occidental as an Insurgency-Free Province.

As I mentioned in my last State of the Nation Address, we have come a long way in our quest for lasting peace.

After years of consistent and resolute security, peace, and community-building, we have succeeded in our campaign to end the decades of conflict in the sixty barangays in your province that were once in the clutches of insurgent movements.

We have successfully dismantled the key leadership of the former insurgents operating in Misamis Occidental, which have now led to their reintegration into society.

Thanks to the DILG and the AFP, we have provided peace, community development, and reintegration programs for those who have returned to the fold of the law.

From 2021 to 2023, fifty-one barangays were identified as recipients of the Barangay Development Programs [or] what we call BDPs – a very integral and important part of our peace efforts.

As of September this year, 46 projects of those projects have been completed, [while] 17 are now ongoing implementation.

Forty-four of these projects are farm-to-market roads (FMRs), [while] two involve the construction and development of roads and bridges.

Nine projects focus on [the improvement of] water supply systems. And on the other hand, the remaining eight projects are health stations, rural electrification, and the rehabilitation of schools.

This strong collaboration among the national and local governments, the military, the police, and the community has allowed us to transform what was once a conflict-affected area into now a peaceful community.

Today, this transformation is evident in places like Hoyohoy in Tangub City, which has now evolved into a symbol of progress.

In fact, one of the main tourism projects of the local government, the Asenso Global Gardens is situated in Hoyohoy. This is a tangible outcome of what our collective efforts toward peace and development can do.

This demonstrates that peace brings more opportunities for growth, investments, and social services for future generations.

Earlier today, we inaugurated the longest water-spanning bridge in Mindanao—the Panguil Bay Bridge. [applause]

It will, of course, facilitate the connectivity with Lanao del Norte. But more than that. This project intends to spur economic growth for the province and the opportunities for Misamisnons.

The experience of Misamis Occidental speaks volumes about the importance of addressing the root causes of insurgency. Peace will neither be attainable nor sustainable without accompanying development. And these things work hand-in-hand.

Hindi natin matatapos ang Panguil Bay Bridge na napaka-importante kung hindi mapayapa ang kanilang pinupuntahan, kung hindi mapayapa at makapasok ang ating mga construction para mabuo itong napaka-importante na tulay na aming in-inaugurate at binuksan kanina.

This is why the aggressive implementation of socioeconomic interventions by bringing investments in education, health, infrastructure, [and] livelihood helped prevent the recurrence of conflict here in Misamis Occidental.

It is our hope that through this Administration’s programs and projects, we will sustain the stability, the peace, and the progress in the home of all of those from Misamis Occidental.

However, as we celebrate today these gains, we cannot rest here. We must remain vigilant against the emerging threats that undermine these hard-won gains.

I ask the local government units of Misamis Occidental to intensify collaboration with various government agencies, partners, and other stakeholders to thwart any posturing or coming back of terrorist groups or any of their financiers or supporters may still be contemplating.

Let us harness the power of peace to uplift the province, this region, and this nation to unparalleled heights. Let Misamis Occidental stand as a shining example of what can be achieved when we work for the greater good together.

With us perpetuating the peace efforts that we made here, I know that soon we will be able to declare the entire country, the entire republic, as insurgency-free. [applause]

Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat!

Mabuhay ang Misamis Occidental! Mabuhay ang Bagong Pilipinas!

—END—