Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) in the city, especially the once insurgency-ridden Paquibato District, continue to benefit from improved access to government services, infrastructure development, livelihood support, and education as the city celebrates its 4th year of being insurgency-free.
Since becoming insurgency-free in 2022, the City Government of Davao- through Peace 911 – expanded its peacebuilding initiatives and implemented key programs, including the launch of the University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP)-Malabog Extension Campus (MEC) which brought free quality tertiary education to residents in Paquibato.
On January 10, 2025, a groundbreaking ceremony was held in Sitio KTC, Barangay Malabog that marked the start of the construction for USEP-MEC’s academic facility and other infrastructure to provide a better learning environment for its students.
Capacity-building training in dressmaking, basket-weaving, fruit trees and vegetable farming, animal hog training, and financial literacy are also provided for the residents in partnership with both public and private stakeholders.
Residents were also provided training relative to entrepreneurial mindset, economic development, and gender orientation.
In the first quarter of 2025, a total of 17,000 school kits were also distributed to 91 elementary schools in the GIDAs, providing significant assistance to learners in pursuing their education.
In 2024, the two-storey Bahayahay Learning and Workshop Center for Indigenous Women in Barangay Pandaitan was officially turned-over to the community, which now serves as a venue for Ata women holding training on their traditional crafts. This helps ensure the preservation of the cultures and traditions of the Indigenous People, such as the traditional weaving and bead-work craftsmanship unique to the Ata community in Paquibato.
The city government also provided assistance to communities affected by calamities including Abaca plantlets distributed to families affected by the abaca crisis; and 108 grocery packs with water and 54 disaster kits to landslide-affected families in 2025 among others.
As part of its mandate, Peace 911 also facilitated the amnesty application of former rebels, as well as assisting them in their reintegration to the community. Earlier this year, Peace 911 assisted in the amnesty application of 60 former rebels.
In 2025, Peace 911 also led to the transfer of former rebels in the Kalinaw Village.
“Magpadayon ang atoang City Government sa paghatod ug pagpaduol sa atoang mga programa ug serbisyo sa mga remote areas sa siyudad pinaagi sa atoang Peace 911 ug mga caravan kini parte pud sa atoang commitment to ensure nga masustain nato ang peace and development to areas once affected by conflict (The City Government of Davao will continue to deliver our programs and services to residents of remote areas through our caravan of services and the Peace 911. This is also part of the city’s commitment to ensure that the peace and development of areas once affected by conflict is sustained),” Harvey James C. Lanticse, Acting Head of the City Information Office (CIO) said. CIO
Written by: J. Villaluz
Edited by: A. Nawal
