TACLOBAN CITY – Vice President Sara Duterte urged the people of Eastern Samar to prepare for calamities during a visit to Borongan City on Wednesday, Nov. 9.
"I believe it is important for places like Eastern Samar to look at the future and be cognizant of the environmental hazards and security risks that threaten its people and hamper its growth," Duterte said during the Provincial Brigada Pagbasa Summit and the 57th founding anniversary of the province at the Provincial Capitol Gymnasium.
"I want you to see Samar from my perspective, from my eyes. And I want to help your province and your island," she added.
As the country continues to face extreme weather conditions due to climate change, she said the challenge is for the people to strengthen a collective commitment to creating ‘’climate-smart citizens’’ that understand climate situations and what must be done to build resilient homes and communities.
She also revealed how Davao City solved the problem of insurgency.
Duterte said that as a former mayor and a government official in Davao City, they were able to end local insurgency in four years during her second and third terms.
She said that the secret to success against insurgency is making a strong city with unity and cooperation of the government and the citizenry.
"I call on everyone to protect the security and peace of your province against local terrorist groups. Do not allow your children to join the NPA. Do not allow their future to be ruined."
She said she invested all her efforts into a program called ‘’Peace 911’’ to address the problem in their area.
"It is quite a complicated process which is why I don't ask barangay captains or mayors to fight the NPAs because I cannot reassure their security 24/7. But I always tell them to talk to the people because their support of the NPAs lies in their hands."