DAPITAN CITY – President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said Mindanao can live up to its billing and
finally become the country’s food basket if lasting peace is achieved in
Mindanao.
“If everyone will support the essential elements to any lasting peace,
Mindanao can be a bread basket for the country,” the President said.
Speaking at the closing of the two-day Local Peace and Security Assembly
(LPSA) in Region 9 at the Dakak Park Beach Resort here, the President
said Mindanao has lots of potential having rich natural resources and an
almost typhoon-free climate.
If peace is only attained in Mindanao, the President said much can be
achieved as tax reforms have brought in needed funds that helped weather
the 44-percent increase in the price of oil and 43-percent increase in
the price of rice in the world market this past year.
As government tries to bring lasting peace in Mindanao, the President
said her administration will work to further strengthen our banking
system, improve fiscal health, encourage investments and expand
potential sectors for growth.
The President said these potential sectors for growth include rubber in
Zamboanga Sibugay, and seaweed farming in Zamboanga del Sur and
Zamboanga City.
We will only be successful if every segment of society pulls together
and commits to building an ever-stronger Zamboanga Peninsula and
ever-stronger Philippines,” the President said.
At the close of the LPSA forum, leaders and various stakeholders in
Region 9 presented to the President a manifesto supporting her
administration’s peace and development initiatives in Mindanao.
The manifesto signatories
include some 300 LPSA participants in Region 9 and local leaders led by
Zamboanga del Norte Gov. Rolando Yebes, Zamboanga 1st District Rep.
Cecilia Jalosjos-Carreon, Zamboanga 3rd District Rep. Cesar Jalosjos,
Dapitan City Mayor Dominador Jalosjos, Zamboanga Del Sur Gov. Aurora
Cerilles, Zamboanga del Sur 1st District Rep. Antonio Cerilles and
Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat.
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