The Regional Development Council (RDC) of Caraga is hopeful that the recent demise of Myrna Sularte, a prominent leader of the New People’s Army (NPA) known as Maria Malaya, will pave the way for enhanced development in the region’s more isolated areas. Sularte met her end during a clash with government forces in Barangay Pianing, Butuan City, on February 12. Dinagat Islands Governor Nilo Demerey Jr., who chairs RDC-13, expressed optimism that the resulting leadership gap within the NPA would ease the rollout of regional development projects. He suggested that the confusion and potential disintegration among the remaining rebels could accelerate these initiatives. Governor Demerey also pointed to the ongoing weakening of the NPA, attributing it to persistent government efforts and targeted military actions. He noted that several NPA fighters have surrendered, and the group’s influence has waned as government services have reached more rural areas. This development is seen as a boost to the region, which saw a 4.9 percent rise in economic activity in 2023. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Caraga increased to PHP119,691 in 2023 from PHP115,247 the previous year, driven by growth in sectors like services, agriculture, forestry, and fishing. Governor Demerey is confident that the Caraga Regional Development Plan (CRDP) for 2023-2028, which focuses on Industrialization and Innovation in Fishery, Agroforestry, Mining, and Ecotourism (i2FAME), will further propel the region’s economic advancement.
