BALER, AURORA — This day marked a major milestone for this province, as it launched its first Peace and Development Center here in Baler on July 17.
The Peace and Development Center’s launching was led by Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) Sec. Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., Lone District of Aurora Congressman Rommel T. Angara, Aurora Governor Reynante A. Tolentino, Aurora Vice Governor, Jennifer A. Araña, OPAPRU Presidential Assistant Wilben M. Mayor, OPAPRU Executive Director Cesar De Mesa, Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) Lieutenant General Fernyl G. Buca, 7th ID Commander, Major General Andrew Costelo and 703rd BDE Brigadier General Joseph Norwin Pasamonte.
A symbol of enduring peace
“Ang Peace and Development Center na ito ang magiging pangunahing simbolo ng kapayapaan dito sa lalawigan ng Aurora. Ito din ay isang pagkilala sa napakahalagang papel ng probinsya upang makamit ang tunay at pangmatagalang kapayapaan para sa lahat ng Pilipino at sa bansa,” Galvez underscored in his keynote message.
He noted that the facility is more than a symbol of peace, as it shall serve as a hub to facilitate the planning, coordination, and implementation of peacebuilding programs and projects in Aurora in the coming years.
“Kaya naman po, lagi nating tandaan na ang pagkamit ng kapayapaan ay hindi lamang responsibilidad ng isang tao o ahensya lamang,” Galvez told the participants at the event, which included 95 members of various Peoples Organizations with 18 FRs members.
“The path to peace is a course that needs to be pursued together by all stakeholders. As President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has said, no one should be left behind in the peacebuilding and development process,” he said, urging the people to support the Marcos Administration’s Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Agenda.
In his remarks, Tolentino expressed his gratitude to the unceasing efforts of OPAPRU and other stakeholders that made the establishment of the Peace and Development Center possible.
“Sa paglulunsad ng Peace and Development Center, ako ay puno ng pag-asa na marami pang mga kapatid natin ang magbabalik-loob sa pamahalaan at makikiisa natin sa kampanya tungo sa mapayapang Aurora,” added Tolentino.
During the launch of the Peace and Development Center, Danilo German, a former rebel, shared his journey of transformation from being a regular member of CPP-NPA to becoming a peaceful and productive member of the province of Aurora.
“Ang mga former rebel, hindi ginamit para sa accomplishments ng AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) at PNP (Philippine National Police), ngunit naging mga instrumento upang tugunan ang mga pangangailangan na makamit natin ang tunay na kapayapaan,” German said.
Congressman Rommel T. Angara, for his part, encouraged rebels to reintegrate to mainstream society and reap the benefits of government programs and initiatives intended for them.
Galvez also expressed his sympathies to those who were affected by the recent armed encounters between the AFP and members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), which led to the forced evacuation of hundreds of families in Dipaculao, Aurora.
“This is not the kind of community we want to raise our children in. As peace builders and peace advocates, let us work hand in hand so we can finally put an end to this cycle of violence. Kinakailangang matapos at hindi na maulit muli ang ganitong mga insidente,” the peace adviser said.
The Transformation Program in Aurora
The province of Aurora was identified in 2023 as one of the priority provinces for the implementation of the Transformation Program, which has been critical in ushering a sustainable and lasting peace in the province.
The approval and implementation of Resolution No. 409 also known as “A Resolution Adopting the Transformation Program in the Province of Aurora for FY 2023-2025,” marked the beginning of the institutionalization phase of the Transformation Program in the province.
In his overview on the Transformation Program, Retired BGen. Abraham Claro C. Casis, OPAPRU Regional Adviser for Peace and Security (RAPS), emphasized that along with the establishment of the Peace and Development Center, the Transformation Program is a realization of peace initiatives that former rebels used to describe as “pangarap lamang”.
“Ipinasa at inaprubahan ng Sangguniang Panlalawigan sa pamamagitan ng isang resolusyon ang pagtulong nitong programa upang bigyan ng katuparan [na noon] ay pangarap lamang,” Casis said.
He also lauded the relentless efforts of the Philippine Army’s 91st Infantry Battalion in sustaining and building on the gains of peace in the province.
Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region III, Regional Director Venus F. Rebuldela, highlighted the major impact of peace programs being implemented in the province, such as the Payapa at Masaganag Pamayanan (PAMANA) Program.
“Ang [PAMANA Program] ang nagbibigay ng panibagong pagkakataon sa buhay at kalayaan [ng mga dating rebelde],” Rebuldela said.
During the program, Galvez led the turn over of P5 million to the Provincial Government of Aurora for the operations of the Peace and Development Center, Php 100,000.00 in livelihood assistance for each of the eight local Peoples’ Organizations, as well as educational assistance and rice subsidy.
He also expressed his gratitude to the 703rd Infantry Brigade led by MGen. Costello, LTGen. Buca, MGen. Costelo, OPAPRU Regional Advisers on Peace and Security (RAPS), Cong. Angara and Gov. Tolentino “for their collective efforts in helping our former rebels in their journey towards building a better life for themselves and their families, and creating an environment where they can live in peace and harmony in their communities.”
With the full cooperation of the local government unit (LGU) of Aurora, the Transformation Program is helping former rebels access much-needed socioeconomic programs and has opened up more opportunities for people’s organizations to take part in capacity development programs.
These peace milestones have enabled former rebels to become peace advocates and play a key role in making their communities more peaceful and resilient to the recovery efforts of the CPP-NPA-NDF. ###