Mindanao leaders play vital role in peace, development efforts

Mindanao Economic Development chairman Virgilio Leyretana gestures during a conference in Davao City in southern Philippines.

DAVAO CITY (Zamboanga Journal / 24 Apr) The Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCo) on Monday said government officials in the southern region play a vital role in promoting peace and development that will benefit the whole country.

Virgilio Leyretana, MEDCo chairman, said Mindanao leaders hold the key to unlocking development potentials in the island by actively pursuing investment promotion and generation initiatives. "The development efforts are more pronounced today as Mindanao officials manifest increasing confidence in steering their areas to progress," he said.

"As the local govenrment units effectively serve as frontliners in the delivery of local government services in the countryside, they have likewise played crucial roles in bringing about growth and progress," Leyretana said.

He said apart from carrying out the principal tasks of providing government services, local government units have to emerge as catalysts of progress by putting into action local investment and development programs.

"The efforts to strengthen our local governments today are becoming stronger, with our LGUs empowered with roles that are expected to improve local service delivery and management," he said. "In the end, strategic collaborations and partnerships among LGUs, the private sector, and non-government as well as civil society organizations have so far afforded the formula for success."