MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / Dec. 31, 2011) – The Philippine government, through the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, on Friday signed a number of agreements with the Provincial Governments of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan and Sulu to formalize their partnership under PAMANA or Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan program (Peaceful and Resilient Communities).
The accords provide for funds that will be used for projects in so-called peace and development communities of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
The signing of the agreement held at the OPAPP office was led by Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita Deles, and attended by governors Manintal Adiong, Jr., of Lanao del Sur; Abdusakur Tan, of Sulu; Sadikul Sahali, of Tawi-Tawi; Jum Akbar, of Basilan; Dave Utto who represented Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu, who are all signatories to the agreements.
Among those who witnesses the signing ceremony were OPAPP Undersecretary Dimasangcay Pundato and ARMM Vice Governor Bainon Karon representing Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman, and Wahida Abtahe, head of the Federation of United Mindanawon Bangsamoro Women.
As part of the Aquino administration’s affirmative action agenda for the Muslim autonomous region, a budget totalling to P718 million was earmarked under PAMANA to benefit MNLF members in peace and development communities. As with regular PAMANA projects, the PAMANA-PDC projects will be implented through partnership agreements with provincial goverments.
The PAMANA-PDC will cover constructions of farm-to-market roads, bridges, warehouses, water supply systems, health centers, community peace centers, irrigation systems, among others.
For this endeavor, OPAPP has engaged the Federation of United Mindanawan Bangsamoro Women Multi Purpose Cooperative to ensure that beneficiary communities are prepared for the entry of PAMANA. The cooperative likewise acts as the third-party monitor for the transparent and accountable implementation of the projects in PDCs.
PAMANA, which is the government’s program and framework for peace and development, aims to reduce poverty, improve governance and empower communities in situations of conflict.
“The MOA signing for PAMANA projects in peace and development communities of MNLF is good news in this season of hope; it is a good way to end the year and start 2012 where implementation of the projects will start right away,” Deles pointed out in her speech during the ceremony.
She said that the 1996 FPA ushered in the constitution of PDCs, one of the mechanisms for the rehabilitation of the rebels and communities, providing them with new opportunities to find peaceful means of livelihood and other social and economic benefits.
Although PAMANA is not part of the implementation of the peace pact, it still supports the PDCs as the government’s direct action to further spur the economic activities of the people in MNLF areas.
The ARMM provincial governors also expressed their gratitude to the national government.
“I am glad that our provincial local government is part of the implementation of the PAMANA projects,” Sahali said.
Akbar lauded President Benigno Aquino III in giving priority to peace and development projects in the province.
Tan conveyed appreciation to local governments and stakeholders for their active participation in peace building. “We are hopeful for genuine peace because the government shows dedication and seriousness in peace efforts,” he said.
Adiong said that the present administration shows and undertakes efforts that “the peace and development needs of Muslim citizens in the country especially in the south are given attention by the national government.”
On the other hand, Utto related that the signing of the MOA means more peace and development efforts in ARMM communities and signals that the work for just and lasting peace will be successful.
Also present in the MOA signing were OPAPP Usec. Louie Montalbo, Usec. Gettie Sandoval, Assistant Secretary Howard Cafugauan, Asec. Jehann Mutin, Asec. Rommie Halabaso, Director Susan Marcaida, Department of Social Welfare and Development-ARMM Assistant Secretary Pombaen Kader, and National Commission on Muslim Filipinos Commissioner and former MNLF official Hatimil Hassan.
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