by Franklin P. Gumapon
DIPOLOG CITY, Feb. 1 (PIA) - Mindanao leaders have expressed full support to the government’s peace efforts, according to the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP).
In its press release issued recently, OPAPP has been assured of the support of the local government officials and other peace advocates in its efforts to win peace in Mindanao.
After the two-day orientation-workshop on PAMANA or Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (Peaceful and Resilient Communities) program for civil society peace advocates in Davao City recently, Sarangani Governor Rene Miguel Dominguez expressed his appreciation and gratitude to President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III and Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles of OPAPP for pursuing programs toward lasting peace in the island.
Dominguez was invited to address the participants and guests of the workshop, which sought the support of civil society groups in monitoring the implementation of the PAMANA program in peace and development communities (PDCs) that were established after the signing of the 1996 peace accord between the government and the Moro liberation Front (MNLF).
Dominguez said: “We are all looking forward to this PAMANA program. It’s time we give more focus to our communities and invest in our people.”
He also called on fellow public officials to start building up their communities to be able to help other communities in the future, adding that the aid Mindanao is receiving from foreign donors “will not be around forever.”
PAMANA is the government’s program and framework for peace and development in conflict-affected areas as well as those covered by existing peace agreements. It aims to reduce poverty, improve governance and empower communities through projects that enhance peace and socio-economic conditions.
It will be implemented in MNLF PDCs in 133 barangays located in 14 provinces and three chartered cities. Among the provinces that already formalized partnership with the national government include Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, Sulu, North Cotabato, Saranggani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Lanao del Norte, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay and Palawan.
It will be implemented in MNLF PDCs in 133 barangays located in 14 provinces and three chartered cities. Among the provinces that already formalized partnership with the national government include Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, Sulu, North Cotabato, Saranggani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Lanao del Norte, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay and Palawan.
(FPG/PIA-Zamboanga de Norte)
