By Rose B. Palacio

Davao City (29 November) -- Governors, city mayors and other local leaders who head the peace and order council in their respective areas expressed full support to the government's approach to end the insurgency problem and its socio-economic causes, said Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio R. Bunye.

Secretary Bunye, in an interview over DXRA's Arangkada hosted by Elmer Kintanar said the peace and order council chaired by DILG Secretary Ronaldo Puno is fully supporting the government effort to stamp out communist insurgency as ordered by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in order to maintain a stable and peaceful place to live in.

"The Administration saw the need to bring together the importance of grassroots participation in the fight against communism", Secretary Bunye said in the radio interview.

He stressed that there must be a holistic approach in quelling insurgency since the roots of the problem must be addressed.

The peace and order councils were created to implement national policies, plans and programs on peace and order, as well as develop and implement a well-coordinated programs of action such as integrated area and community public safety plan.

It is also tasked to monitor and evaluate all governmental peace and order programs and projects in the localities and conduct studies and researches to identify and address the problems on criminality, rebellion, insurgency and other forms of public disorder.

The POC empowers the local communities towards greater participation and involvement in the formulation and implementation of peace and order programs.