Tuesday, July 5, 2016

New peace adviser vows continuity, inclusivity in the peace process

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 5): New peace adviser vows continuity, inclusivity in the peace process    

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza emphasized to continue previous commitments, including the implementation of signed agreements from past administrations, in pursuing peace and development in the country.

“There will be a change of command but let me assure everyone that there will be no transition as they use to call it. We would like to use the word ‘continuity’,” Dureza said during the formal turnover ceremony of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) to its new chief on Monday.

“We build on every brick on the ground. There is so much that has been done already.” Dureza added. “The message is continuity, and this is for the Filipino people. Enabling peace is a work for a lifetime. It is a continuous work.”

The ceremony was attended by former OPAPP Secretary Teresita “Ging” Quintos Deles, who was joined by previous agency officials. The incoming OPAPP executives were also present during the event.

The new peace adviser also recapped parts of the inaugural speech of President Rodrigo Duterte that are significant to this administration’s peace policy.

In his speech, President Duterte underscored the continued implementation of all signed peace agreements in conformity with the constitutional and legal reforms.

At the same time, there must be an inclusive roadmap, which takes into account all stakeholders, particularly the indigenous peoples.

“These are our marching orders and we will work in that direction,” Dureza said.

The new peace adviser stressed the importance of development efforts relative to peace-building, as these will sustain peace on the ground.

“Hindi lang pwedeng piece of paper o peace agreements, it will not be sustainable. Dapat may katuwang na development. (It is not enough that we have signed peace agreements, it will not be sustainable. We must couple it with development.),” Dureza said.

“In other words, when you sign agreements, you must always make the people feel that there are dividends for peace because it is development that will sustain all these gains.”

Dureza called on all peace stakeholders to persevere on what they are doing so that the strides of peace will be “one step forward from where these are today.”

“We like to invite you to continue being with us. There are a few changes but, definitely, we will continue what the previous Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process has done because Secretary Ging Deles also built on the work of previous peace advisers,” Dureza said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=901351

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