Political Killings
Mayor Duterte said that it is his fundamental task to ensure the peace and security of every law abiding citizen in the city. Del Rosario of Bayan hopes that such rhetoric would translate to the protection of political activists. Since 2001, close to a thousand members of progressive groups around the country fell victims to these killings, not to mention the abduction and other forms of harassment and intimidation.
“We hope that Davao would continue to be free from political killings in the next three years and beyond,” Del Rosario said. He hoped that Duterte would leave a legacy among the public servants and lawmakers of upholding human and children’s rights.
Major Programs
Wendel Avisado, the city administrator, expects that Mayor Duterte will continue his major programs: the drainage program, the traffic signalization, the development program of the PTA grounds, the school-building projects, and the computerization of tax collection.
The mayor’s flagship program, however, remains the “peace and order,” Avisado told davaotoday.com
Dureza, the former councilor, said the Task Force Davao must be maintained because the threat of terrorism is always present. If the “peace and order” is preserved, Dureza said, “it will provide opportunity for investments to grow.”
Duterte’s mother, Soledad, also told davaotoday.com that she expects the tandem of her son and granddaughter Sara would give a better picture of Davao. Sara Duterte is the newly elect vice mayor. (See related story.)
“I hope that peace, unity and understanding will prevail in the midst of the differences in religion, culture and nationality,” Mrs. Duterte said.
Turbulent and Uncertain
In his speech during his oath-taking two weeks ago, Duterte reminisced on his governance.
Our diverse peoples of varying political and religious persuasions were trying to survive in a city that was known as the killing fields of the south, there was chaos in the streets and our city was one of the dirtiest in the country, he said.
It was by no means an easy task. It was a daunting task! Together, we did what we needed to do. We put order in the streets, in a sustained deliberate manner, we instilled fear in the hearts of criminals and restored the courage of law-abiding residents to stand up and be counted. We made our city livable. We took care of business, Duterte said.
Under his last term, he promised to make good on his promises. He said his priority programs in the next three years are peace and security, sustained economic growth and land productivity.
He cited peace and security as the cornerstone of any and all of the city’s development projects, endeavors and business activities. He vowed to pursue the campaign against lawlessness and criminality “in a relentless and uncompromising way.”
It cannot be overemphasized that criminals and terrorists cannot dictate the way we live and hold hostage our way of life, he said.
The mayor said he would take advantage of the advances in technology as a way to sustain economic growth. He enumerated access to information, enhancement of the workforce’s employability, support for small and medium enterprises, and creation of livelihood opportunities. He likewise gave the assurance that City Hall will minimize at all times government interference in business.
He also emphasized land as the city’s natural competitive strength. We must bring every parcel of land in the production cycle, he said.
The last nineteen years were mostly a mix of successes, failures, frustrations, disappointments, triumphs, humbling experiences, and best of all, great satisfaction in what truly matters — being of service to our people and country, he said.
He said a great deal about children. We must ensure that our children have the best possible start in life. We must prepare our children in their formative years. We must make certain that our children will be educated and that that they will have access to education. We must nurture and protect them so that they will be able to participate and they will be ready to make their choices. We must ensure that when their time comes, they are ready to take the cudgels of leadership, he said.
Duterte thanked the people for entrusting City Hall with him. No leader before and probably none after will ever enjoy the kind of trust and confidence you bestowed on me,” he said. “It is something I will forever cherish and treasure. (Marilou M. Aguirre and Cheryll D. Fiel/davaotoday.com).
