Peace, security and development

The relationship of peace, security and development appears not to need any explanation, with all the materials written about it. Nevertheless, it may be important to be reminded about it from time to time.

From the economic standpoint, problems in peace and order are negative factors. They deter investments and adversely affect production.
           
Investors won’t risk putting their money in enterprises located in “unsafe” areas where their production will be slowed down or even stopped. This is true in any endeavor - whether in industry, in agriculture or in services.
           
Capital is needed to create jobs and promote growth. If the investor’s capital is not forthcoming many areas of high potential will remain just that - always a potential, never a reality.
           
To create peace, people interested in such peace must come together and arrive at a settlement of the issues that block the attainment of peace.
           
The existence of peace and order problems and the fact that this region is among of the underdeveloped regions, like ARMM and Bicol, show that peace, security and level of development are strongly related.
           
The question that is relevant to us, in this context is: Is it safe to invest in Eastern Visayas?
           
The answer to that question would be almost amusing: it depends.
           
It depends on the source of the investments, on the location, on the technology that will be used, and the belief of people that such investment will be beneficial to them.

The right mix of these “it depends” factors is needed to bring in investors.  Therefore, the question earlier posed is a challenge to a government that is expected to maintain the peace and get everybody working towards improving people’s lives.