KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato -- Presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte lauded the people of this province for the successful holding of the just concluded Kalivungan Festival, calling it a symbol of unity in diversity.
The mayor, who served as guest of honor during the conclusion of Kalivungan Fest on Saturday, said the festivity of unity in diversity was similar to the program of Davao City as shown during the multi-cultural Kadayawan sa Davao Festival which was celebrated last August.
“Mao ni atong kinahanglan, nga maghiusa kita sa luyo sa atong governor, sa atong vice governor, sa atong mga board members, sa atong mga mayors og konsehal even sa atong mga barangay kapitan -- maghiusa kita sa ilang likod kay ang kusog sa mga local government officials naa diha sa katawhan (This is what we need, to unite with our governor, vice governor, board members, mayors and councilors and even our barangay captains -- we should unite with them because the strength of the local government lies with our constituents),” she said.
Sara said without unity, there will be no fruitful outcome from efforts of government officials.
She also urged the people not to support the New People’s Army (NPA) in their respective barangays and municipalities, and called on them to rally behind the government.
“Naa lang pud koy hangyo, naa koy request nga kung pwede ayaw lang pud ninyo tabangi ang kalaban sa gobyerno para pantay (I have a request to you if you will not help the government, do not also help the enemies of state to be fair),” Sara said.
She added that the rebels in her city are also the same in the province because the NPA is operating in remote areas of Marilog and Paquibato districts in Davao City going to the municipalities of Arakan and Magpet of Cotabato.
“Moingon lang mo -- sundalo man na, NPA man na, o terrorista, sir, ayaw lang ako ang istoryaha, ayaw alang ako ang i-recruit, ayaw lang diri sa akong tugkaran because ang gusto nako malinawon nga pagpamuyo diri sa among barangay, diri sa among municipality. Gusto nako akong mga anak maka iskwela og tarong, mahuman og iskwela, maka negosyo ko gamay , ang akong bana maka drive og motor ako magka tindahan ang amoang uma matarong namo para sa among harvest -- mao lang ang akong hangyo (Just tell them -- whether they are soldiers, NPA or terrorists, sir don’t talk to us, do not recruit us, not here in our place, because I want peace in our barangay and municipality. I want my children to go to school and finish their studies, have small business, my husband could drive a motorcycle, I could have a small store, fix our farm to have good harvest -- that is my only request),” she said.
She also thanked the people for the support given to his father, President Rodrigo R. Duterte, for giving a convincing win during the 2016 presidential election.
She said her father could not make it without the support of the people there who spent their money to produce campaign materials.
The mayor rallied Cotabateños to support President Duterte in his campaign against illegal drugs, corruption and criminality. (PNA)
