PEACE BY PEACE
Undoubtedly, 2024 has turned out to be another banner year for the comprehensive Philippine peace process. The determination of the Marcos administration to sustain and build on the gains of peace across the country has been focused, relentless and multi-pronged — leaving no stone unturned in its quest to bring a just and lasting peace to all Filipinos.
Among this year’s major achievements was the commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB). This milestone highlighted a decade of peace, stability, and development in the Bangsamoro region. The Japanese government, in fact, organized a symposium to highlight the gains of the Bangsamoro peace process at the international front.
The Inter-Cabinet Cluster on Mechanism on Normalization (ICCMN) held a three-leg Serbisyo Caravan across the six government-acknowledged Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) camps in Mindanao. The government also accelerated the rollout of its Localizing Normalization Implementation (LNI) wherein provincial government units will take the lead in implementing the Normalization Program for decommissioned MILF combatants.
The Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB) submitted its third accomplishment report to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., symbolizing the “jointness” of the national and Bangsamoro governments, particularly in addressing concerns affecting the implementation of peace and development projects in the region and finding ways on how to further heighten their impact among beneficiary communities.
A total of 6,333 individuals enrolled in the Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Program wherein 1,948 weapons were turned in and 4,385 stenciled from 2021 to 2024. A “Community-Oriented Safeguarding and Conflict Management” Program was also conducted for Joint Peace and Security Teams (JPSTs) to enhance both their peacekeeping and peacebuilding capabilities.
Another major peace milestone was this year’s celebration of the 28th Anniversary of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement between the Government of the Philippines and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). The accelerated implementation of the MNLF Transformation Program has led to the socio economic profiling of 1,963 MNLF combatants wherein each received ₱45,000 in transitional cash assistance.
Under our Local Peace Engagement (LPE) initiative, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU, in partnership with provincial local government units (PLGU), launched 15 Peace and Development Centers nationwide. These peace centers will serve as hubs of all peacebuilding interventions of PLGUs, which shall largely benefit thousands of former rebels (FRs) who have returned to the folds of the law.
The OPAPRU has also conducted 16 Transformation Program (TP) Planning Workshops across the country, helping PLGUs craft their TP implementation plans that aim to address the socioeconomic needs of FRs, and help them make the transition as peaceful and productive members of society. Moreover, we have established 1,087 Local Peace Engagement Teams and 350 Local Peace Panels nationwide.
Under our peace process with the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa-Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade-Tabara Paduano Group (RPM-P/RPA-ABB-TPG) now called KAPATIRAN, we held the ceremonial groundbreaking for a ₱25 million farm-to-market road project leading to the KAPATIRAN Congregated Site in Sitio Binacay, Brgy. Talacdan, Cauayan , Negros Occidental.
Under our peace process with Cordillera Bodong Administration-Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CBA-CPLA), the OPAPRU allocated ₱600 million in funds for the implementation of various socioeconomic projects in the Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR), while around ₱594,000 was earmarked for the region in 2025, with a total budget amounting to ₱1.2 billion in two years.
Under our Social Healing and Peacebuilding (SHAPE) Program, we spearheaded the conduct of the first-ever held International Conference on Women, Peace and Security (ICPWS), which is a major milestone for the Philippines. The three-day conference was attended by more than 700 delegates consisting of women leaders, peacebuilders, and peace advocates coming from across the globe.
The OPAPRU also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the US State Department to establish a Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Center of Excellence, showcasing the Philippines’ commitment to advancing peace and security initiatives not only in the country but in the international front. This year also saw the revival of the Bishops Ulama Conference (BUC) now called Mindanao Religious Leaders Conference (MIRLEC).
We are pleased to report that OPAPRU’s Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) Program was allocated a budget of ₱5 billion for this year, the largest allocation our agency has received in many years. Utilizing these funds, a total of 124 infrastructure projects, covering 88 municipalities, are currently being implemented throughout the country — from roads, bridges, and water systems.
It is worth noting that ₱1.24 billion in PAMANA funds was allocated to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) alone, while ₱3.68 billion was earmarked for OPAPRU Peace and Development Focus Areas, with substantial funds dedicated to other localities covered by peace agreements signed by the Philippine government.
As we end 2024, the national government has delivered on its promise to fulfill its commitments under all signed peace agreements. As President Marcos said during the celebration of this year’s National Peace Consciousness Month, “The dividends of the peace that we have worked so hard to achieve are now upon us, and the responsibility to create a more inclusive and prosperous country now lies in our hands.”
(Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. is the presidential adviser on peace, reconciliation, and unity.)