DAVAO CITY – The Davao Region received the Gawad Parangal Award during the 6th Founding Anniversary of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) on December 6, 2024.
The award recognizes the region’s remarkable strides in promoting sustainable peace and security, establishing it as a benchmark for resilience and progress in Mindanao. This honor underscores the critical role Davao plays in advancing the government’s mission to eliminate insurgency and foster lasting peace in the region.
Secretary Leo Tereso A. Magno, Chairperson of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) for Southern Mindanao, accepted the award on behalf of the Davao Region.
“This recognition is a testament to the collective efforts of the administration, local governments, and communities in addressing insurgency through inclusive development, governance reforms, and people-centered initiatives. It proves that peace is achievable when unity and purpose come together,” Magno said.
Magno further emphasized that the award serves as both a recognition and a challenge to sustain peace-building initiatives, ensuring their long-term benefits for future generations.
The ceremony gathered high-ranking officials who commended the Davao Region’s transformative efforts, including:
- Secretary Antonio Lagdameo Jr., Special Assistant to the President
- PGen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, PNP Chief
- Secretary Carlito G. Galvez Jr., Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity
- Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac, Department of Migrant Workers
- Secretary Manuel Bonoan, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
- Secretary Jaime J. Bautista, Department of Transportation (DOTr)
- Secretary Eduardo M. Año, National Security Adviser
- Secretary Ivan John Uy, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT)
- Undersecretary Ernesto C. Torres Jr., NTF-ELCAC Executive Director
- General Romeo Brawner Jr., AFP Chief of Staff
