EDITORIAL - Ready for development

At the start of the year, the military announced that it had added six more to its list of provinces classified as “peaceful and ready for further development.” This brings to 42 the total number of such provinces where insurgencies and other armed threats have been rendered too weak to affect residents’ way of life. The military hopes to add 28 more provinces to the list in the coming months.

In these “peaceful” provinces, the military can turn over to the Philippine National Police the task of maintaining internal security. The latest additions to the list are the provinces of Catanduanues, Misamis Oriental, Negros Oriental, Palawan, Pampanga and Zamboanga Sibugay.

The new description replaced the term “insurgency-free” – a classification marred in the past by sporadic attacks by rebel groups. The new description also emphasizes a crucial component in ensuring that military counterinsurgency gains are sustained: the gains must be consolidated through greater investments in developing the affected area.

Development means not only providing the infrastructure needed to stimulate economic activity such as roads and telecommunications networks, but also providing livelihood opportunities through the development of sectors such as agriculture and tourism. Local leaders can also encourage investors to consider business opportunities in the province. Development also entails improving the delivery of basic services such as education, health care and sanitation, and strengthening instruments of social justice.

Military success in counterinsurgency is just the first step in securing communities. The civilian government, in cooperation with the private sector, must deprive insurgents of public support. This is best done by turning insurgents into rebels without a cause. Empowering residents through development and sustainable livelihood sources will make insurgencies fade into irrelevance.