Negros Oriental guv, mayors back localized peace initiatives

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 23): Negros Oriental guv, mayors back localized peace initiatives

Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and town mayors, headed by League of Municipalities-Negros Oriental chapter president Mayor Edsel Enardecido of Ayungon, are one in supporting President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to localize the conduct of peace initiatives after talks between the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front (NDF) bogged down.

The expression of support came amid criticisms and claims by militant and cause-oriented groups that the localized peace initiative is bound to fail.

Degamo announced over the weekend that he is confident that genuine peace will be achieved in the province because the “government is doing its best to deliver the basic services needed by the people especially in the hinterland barangays.”

The governor is of strong belief that waging war is not a solution to the insurgency problem as evidenced by the fact that it has existed for more than 40 years.

Enardecido also expressed belief that Communist Party of the Philippines leader Jose Maria Sison is not anymore in full control of the rebel movement.

“It is best that local mayors be given the authority to negotiate peace with rebels in their respective areas of jurisdictions,” he said.

Enardecido, however, has apprehensions as to the so-called packages for rebel-surrenderees in the absence of clear-cut guidelines regarding fund sources.

He said until today, what is due the beneficiaries of the closure agreement on the peace talks between the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA-ABB) and the government has not been fully released.

For his part, Mayor Ernesto T. Uy of Mabinay wants a template on how to go about the localized peace initiative, including the procedure, stressing the Commission on Audit (COA) should be involved in this undertaking.

He said for the last three years, the intelligence fund of the municipality remained unutilized because of strict COA regulations.

Mayor Uy wants COA to make it clear where the budget for peace and security can be drawn from.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1042347