PEACE AND ORDER IS THE KEY TO ECONNOMIC GROWTH: SALCEDA

LEGAZPI CITY -- Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said that peace and tranquillity are among the key elements in measuring Bicol's robust economic growth area in the country.

“Let me emphasize that the absence of conflict and the semblance of peace and order are economic factors with the highest economic returns,” said Salceda

Salceda in his visit at the 9th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army (PA) headquarters in Pili, Camarines Sur on Saturday said that the economic growth of the region was mainly due to the successful security operations of the Philippine Army.

Salceda claimed that in 2009, Bicol became one of the fastest growing economy in the country with a rate of 8.2% growth as compared to the 1.1% growth of the whole country.

He cited that he expects that this year, Bicol’s economic growth will hit 12.4 percent due to the positive impact on the regions peace and order condition where the Philippine Army’s has been successful in the conduct of security operations.

Salceda commended the officers and men of the 9ID saying, “You’re doing so well in your job (in security operations) in Bicol because of this we are becoming the fastest growing economy.”

The Philippine Army in the Bicol Region has recently been credited for its successful campaign against insurgency.

The insurgency problem in Bicol for the past four decade had been the major obstacle in the region’s economic growth as it has discourage national and foreign investors to put up industries and business here because of the presence of the communist rebels.(PNA Bicol/PIA/mal)