Gov’t’s peace efforts in CAR continue to gain momentum

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 13, 2022): Gov’t’s peace efforts in CAR continue to gain momentum: Galvez (By Lade Jean Kabagani)

INTERVENTIONS FOR CBA-CPLA. Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unit Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. (left) and Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office-Cordillera Administrative Region Director Dr. Cameron Odsey sign memorandum of agreements on April 8, 2022. The agreements were signed for the implementation of the second phase of the Sustainable and Inclusive Peace and Transformation (SIPAT) Program for the former Cordillera Bodong Administration – Cordillera People's Liberation Army (CBA-CPLA) combatants. (Photo courtesy of OPAPRU)

Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Carlito G. Galvez Jr. on Wednesday said the peace process between the Philippine government and the Cordillera Bodong Administration – Cordillera People's Liberation Army (CBA-CPLA) continues to gain momentum.

“Through the government’s normalization program for the CBA-CPLA, we are now seeing the meaningful transformation of the organization’s membership, their families, and communities,” Galvez said in a social media post.

This, as the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) signed memoranda of agreements with the Department of Agriculture - Regional Field Office - Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-RFO-CAR) along with two premier educational institutions in the Cordillera Administrative Region, the Kalinga State University (KSU) and Abra State Institute of Sciences and Technology (ASIST), for the implementation of the second phase of the Sustainable and Inclusive Peace and Transformation (SIPAT) Program for the former combatants.

The SIPAT Program is aimed at creating livelihood opportunities for members of the CBA-CPLA and turning them into an "army of entrepreneurs."

It will be carried out in collaboration with accredited peoples’ organizations under the Department of Agriculture (DA) - CAR.

Launched last year with total funding of PHP28.5 million, the program has so far provided economic interventions in 21 communities across the Cordillera region.

DA-CAR Regional Executive Director Dr. Cameron Odsey vowed the region will responsibly implement the second phase of the program for this year.

“The benefits to the intended beneficiaries are immense and far outweigh the difficulties and challenges we face in the smooth implementation of this project," he added.

KSU President Dr. Eduardo Bagtang said the provision of livelihood interventions can help to further empower the former combatants.

"By providing livelihood to them, then we are strengthening them, we are empowering them, they will soon realize it's not only through armed struggle that we can provide solutions to the problem of Cordillera Administrative Region," Bagtang said.

The OPAPRU and KSU also signed a pact on the "Capability Building and Enterprise Enhancement Towards an Empowered CBA-CPLA Community" that will be implemented in identified communities in Kalinga province.

Through this deal, the KSU will provide a capacity-building package that will include product development, financial literacy training, and the provision of start-up kits for CBA-CPLA Community Enterprise Partners.

Meanwhile, the MOA with ASIST dubbed “Makipango Nan Panagdul-as Ji Masadiit A Napauli Ji Gobielno or Reaching Out to the former members of CPLA towards their Development during COVID-19” will ensure a continuous engagement with former CPLA members, to identify their needs and determine programs and projects that suit them.

ASIST president Dr. Gregorio Turqueza hoped the partnership will continue to uplift the lives of the former CBA-CPLA members.

“Hopefully we will be able to attain our objectives provided in our memorandum of agreement by committing ourselves to fulfill everything provided in our memorandum of agreement faithfully, religiously, and judiciously,” he added.

Galvez also emphasized that the recently signed agreements are part of the Duterte administration’s top priorities: “to implement programs that bring the dividends of peace closer to the people and their communities.”

He said similar interventions will be soon implemented in more conflict-cleared communities.

"We hope to further expand the coverage of the SIPAT program to more communities in the region, and consequently, create an army of entrepreneurs," he added.

“The CBA-CPLA is a shining example that good things come to those who walk the path of peace,” Galvez said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1172209