Vice President Sara Duterte underscored the importance of government presence in the communities to end insurgency in the country.

"When communities have increased access to education, economic opportunities, healthcare services, and other government initiatives — terrorists will have lesser chances to access them," Duterte said during the opening of the three-day Peace Village at the SM City Annex in Davao City.

According to the Vice President, good governance is one of the key pathways to achieving peace in the country.

"A government that genuinely serves the people will not suffer the doom of being betrayed by its people," she said.

Duterte said the celebration is a special moment in Davao's quest for enduring peace and prosperity, and celebrating the insurgency-free status of Davao Region.

She cited the significant gains of Davao Region in its peace-building efforts as it marked its first year of being insurgency-free.

The three-day "Peace Village: An Exhibit of Davao Regions Milestones in Peace and Development" is spearheaded by the City Government of Davao, through its Peace 911 program, in partnership with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Reconciliation and Unity and the provincial government units of Region XI.