BUTUAN CITY—Demonstrating the national government’s steadfast commitment to fostering peace, unity and reconciliation, Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., visited the Kagawasan 143 Peace and Development Center on March 14, this city. (more…)
AGUSAN DEL NORTE – In its bid to bring sustainable development and long-lasting peace. the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) led the inauguration and turnover of newly-constructed road projects on March 14, this province. (more…)
DUMAGUETE, NEGROS ORIENTAL – In a bid to strengthen and sustain the gains of the 2000 Peace Agreement between the Philippine government and the RPM-P/RPA/ABB Tabara-Paduano Group members (now known as Kapatiran), officials of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) and the provincial local government unit (PLGU) of Negros Oriental explored possible areas of collaboration here on March 4. (more…)
CAMP LAPU-LAPU, CEBU CITY – Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. underscored the vital role of the security sector and national government agencies (NGAs) in ensuring the effective implementation of the Transformation Program for former rebels, their families, and communities. (more…)
PASIG CITY — Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. and Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian have vowed to carry out President Ferdinand R. Marocs, Jr.’s directive: Transform former rebels (FRs) into peaceful, productive and resilient citizens. (more…)
CAMP BILAL, MUNAI, LANAO DEL NORTE—Upon seeing each other, the two men hugged tightly like blood brothers.
One is a retired military general who has fought countless wars; the other is a grizzled warrior who, for decades, championed his people’s right to self-determination. Both are fighters – and leaders – in the truest sense.
At first glance, they seem to be poles apart. However, they are bound by a common vision: to bring greater peace, progress and stability to the Bangsamoro. And it is this bond that has brought them closer than ever. (more…)
CAMP ABUBAKAR, BARIRA, MAGUINDANAO DEL NORTE — Lined up along the roadside, Tundong-clad children waved Philippine flags, as they cheered and warmly greeted the visitors “Good morning, sirs and ma’ams!”
The atmosphere was festive in this hinterland Central Mindanao municipality that is located within the heart of the biggest Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) camp — once the bastion of the former revolutionary group’s armed struggle. (more…)
MASLOG, EASTERN, SAMAR – “When the road begins, insurgency ends. And when the road ends, insurgency begins.”
This was a realization shared by Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. in his message during the ceremonial groundbreaking of road and bridge projects under the PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn (PAMANA) Program, spearheaded by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), on Monday, December 16, this city. (more…)
MANILA – The Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB) agreed on Wednesday, December 11, to create a Technical Working Group (TWG) that will ensure the smooth transition of Sulu province from the Bangsamoro to the National Government. (more…)
2024 another banner year for PH peace process
MANILA — “As the year comes to a close, the Marcos [Jr.] administration will continue to fulfill its obligations to the country’s peace process.”
This was the assurance given by Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity, Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum on Wednesday, December 11.
Galvez highlighted the major accomplishments of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) in line with the implementation of signed peace agreements, particularly peace and development interventions in once conflict-affected communities across the country.
“This year has turned out to be another very successful one for our agency and the comprehensive Philippine peace process as a whole,” he underscored.
Fostering lasting peace in the Bangsamoro
According to Galvez, the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), the landmark peace agreement signed between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) marked its 10th year of bringing greater peace, progress and stability in the region.
He said the Japanese government, in partnership with the OPAPRU, commemorated the occasion through a symposium that gave the international community an overview of both the progress made and the challenges being faced in the implementation of the Bangsamoro peace process.
Galvez also highlighted the achievements made by the national government under the Small Arms and Light Weapons Management (SALW-M) Program which has led to the turnover of approximately 2,000 loose and stenciled firearms from Basilan, Maguindanao, Tawi-tawi, and Lanao del Norte.
He stressed that the implementation of the SALW-M Program aims to ensure peace and order in the Bangsamoro, as the region prepares for the possible conduct of the first parliamentary elections in 2025.
Transformation of former combatants
Galvez said the 1996 Final Peace Peace Agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) also marked its 29th year, noting that former combatants continue to reap the benefits of the MNLF Transformation Program.
“Last week, we turned over Php 25 million worth of farming equipment to MNLF members, which aim to boost their agricultural productivity and allow them to earn higher incomes,” Galvez said.
Galvez also proudly shared that “the peace process with the Kapatiran is nearing its conclusion,” noting that more than 90 percent of [the government’s] commitments have been fulfilled.
He added that in OPAPRU’s efforts to transform former rebels, their families, and communities in peace and development focus areas is now bearing fruit, as 34 out of 51 provincial local government units have crafted their respective Transformation Program plans.
More high-impact PAMANA projects
Meanwhile, under OPAPRU’s flagship initiative, the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) Program, Php 5 billion was allocated for “high-impact, community-level” projects in isolated and conflict-affected communities.
During his recent visit to Agusan del Sur, Galvez shared that “we committed to provide the provincial government with Php 210 million under the PAMANA program to rehabilitate the Limot-Candiis-Davao de Oro boundary round next year.”
Of the approved Php 7 billion peace budget of OPAPRU for the next fiscal year, Php 5.2 billion will be allocated for similar projects.
Pushing forward the WPS agenda
Galvez also reported that the country’s hosting of the International Conference on Women, Peace, and Security (ICWPS), brought the OPAPRU “to the national consciousness and the international community.”
The ICWPS was spearheaded by the OPAPRU, in partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW).
Galvez stressed that the three-day conference also allowed the country to showcase its National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security (NAPWPS).
Aside from the adoption of the landmark Pasay Declaration during the conference, the Philippine government, through the OPAPRU, also entered into an agreement with the US State Department to establish a Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Center of Excellence in the Philippines.
Gearing up for 2025
“The OPAPRU aims to achieve more ambitious targets in 2025. We expect the coming year to be filled with challenges, but our agency is ready to face these trials head-on, as we continue to deliver on our promises,” Galvez stressed.
Aside from the ongoing preparations for the BARMM elections, he said the OPAPRU continues to conduct consultations regarding the proposal to create a Department of Peace (DoP).
Galvez added that the OPAPRU aims to be converted into a national peace institute, underscoring the need to institutionalize all of the Philippine government’s peace policies, programs and strategies.
He said the peace agency is also gearing up for the establishment of the Center of Excellence for WPS and the localization of the NAPWPS throughout the country.###
Office of the Presidential Adviser
on the Peace, Reconciliation and Unity
5/F Agustin I Building, F. Ortigas Jr. Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig, Philippines
Office of the Secretary: +632 637-6083
Trunk line: +632 636-0701 to 07
Fax: +632 638-2216
Email: [email protected]
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