OPAPP signs MOA with Cordillera civil society groups for transparency in projects implementation in CAR

From the Philippine Information Agency (May 27): OPAPP signs MOA with Cordillera civil society groups for transparency in projects implementation in CAR

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) has signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with civil society groups here on May 24 to improve governance and monitoring of government’s peace and development projects and programs in the Cordillera.

The MOA signing initiated the setting-up of Monitoring, Evaluation and Transparency (MET) mechanism by the OPAPP, represented by Undersecretary Marie Cleofe Gettie Sandoval, and partner civil society groups Concerned Citizens of Abra for Good Governance, Peoples Organization for Social Transformation Development Network, Inc. of Apayao, Philippine Association of Social Workers, Inc. of Ifugao, International Association for Transformation of Kalinga; and CSO Ebgan, Inc. of Mountain Province.

The signing was witnessed by Cordillera Bodong Administration (CBA) President Marcelina Bahatan, Police Regional Office Cordillera Regional Director Chief Superintendent Benjamin Magalong, Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Director Marilyn Sta. Catalina, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Assistant Regional Director Jonathan Leusen, and National Commission on Indigenous Peoples Regional Director Sancho Boquing.

Sandoval said in a statement that the MET mechanism shows the commitment of both the government and the CBA - Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CPLA) to the principles of transparency and accountability in implementing the peace process MOA they forged in 2011.

“The MET will utilize collaborative approaches and engage the public in promoting an atmosphere of constructive and productive dialogue and mutual cooperation in the monitoring and implementation of the peace and development projects and program under the 2011 GPH-CBA-CPLA MOA,” Sandoval said.

With the said MOA now on its second year of implementation, Sandoval said that peace and development projects and programs are on track, in line with the transformation of the CBA-CPLA into a potent socio-economic organization.

Sandoval also said that program and project implementations are done through the different regional line agencies such as infrastructure projects through the DILG, livelihood programs through DSWD, scholarships through the Commission on Higher Education, farm-to-market roads through the DA, Philhealth for health insurance coverage, among others.

Sandoval added that by the end of this year they are optimistic that all programs and projects are already in place.

OPAPP is set to present their accomplishment report by July for the second year anniversary of the MOA.

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=61369369512