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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Senate panel approves P7-B OPAPRU budget for 2024

Senate panel approves P7-B OPAPRU budget for 2024

Published Sep 20, 2023 10:06 am

A Senate subcommittee has endorsed for plenary approval the proposed 2024 budget of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) which includes a P5.3 billion increase for the implementation of the PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn (PAMANA) program.

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Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa. (Senate PRIB photo)

During the budget deliberations of the Senate finance subcommittee chaired by Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Sec. Carlito Galvez, Jr. showed in his presentation that they were provided with almost a P2-billion budget both for 2022 and 2023.

He explained that while this may show a budget increase, they are still operating on the same fund levels.

Galvez also emphasized that the increased budget is largely due to the P5 billion infrastructure projects for the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) communities; the areas affected by the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People's Army (NPA); the remaining commitment in Panay and Negros Island area for the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa–Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade Tabara Paduano Group (RPM-P/RPA/ABB TPG) now the Kapatiran para sa Progresong Panlipunan; and in Cordillera for the Cordillera People's Liberation Army (CPLA).

"These are only a portion of the required catchup social economic interventions to help transform the lives of former rebels and have an impact in conflict-affected areas," he added.

According to DBM, the PAMANA Program covers a provision of P5 billion specifically assigned for the establishment and enhancement of social infrastructure facilities. This includes a budget of P4.21 billion for the construction and maintenance of roads and bridges, P569 million for the development of efficient water supply systems, P176 million for the establishment of secure evacuation centers, and P35 million for the construction of fish ports.

Meanwhile, the OPAPRU is also supporting the National Amnesty Program through the National Amnesty Commission.

"This means that we are implementing a major political measure complementary to the peace process for a commission that is equivalent to a department bureau but without the substantial additional funding and personnel," Galvez said.

Under the National Expenditure Program (NEP) budget for Fiscal Year 2024, Galvez said that only the three commissioners of NAC are covered and the funding of the personnel is not included.

"That's why we are appealing that the NAC be given due consideration because as the President had said, peace process without the amnesty, it is still incomplete," he added. 


Galvez also said that they are anticipating an influx of amnesty applications once the proclamation is issued by the President and concurred with by Congress with an estimate of 85 to 100 per day in the span of two years which is equivalent to 15,000 to 20,000 applicants.

Related Tags

OPAPRU Senate committee on finance Carlito Galvez Jr. Senator Ronald Bato dela Rosa
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