OPAPP launches ‘new avenue’ for peace in Maguindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 10): OPAPP launches ‘new avenue’ for peace in Maguindanao (By Christine Cudis)

CONGREGATE. The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) inaugurates the newly-completed House of Peace in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao on Tuesday (Dec. 7, 2021), to promote peaceful activities and strengthen relationships among partner organizations. The center, dubbed as “Walay na Kalilintad” in Maguindanaon, will be an avenue for government agencies and other stakeholders to congregate as they promote peace in Maguindanao. (Photo courtesy of OPAPP)

To promote peace in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) has opened the newly-completed House of Peace in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.

“The Peace Center called Walay na Kalilintad is more than just a physical structure. It symbolizes the strong and enduring partnership between our organizations, as we work with our other peace partners in bringing a just and lasting peace to the Bangsamoro people,” said Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. in a shared statement on Thursday.

The peace center, which was opened on Tuesday and also dubbed as “Walay na Kalilintad” in Maguindanaon, aims to provide not only a venue for various peace-building initiatives, but more importantly, an avenue for collaboration between the OPAPP and its peace partners such as the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in pushing for sustainable peace and development in BARMM.

“It is our hope that this Peace Center will serve as an inspiration for all of us to go the extra mile and work even harder, as we put an end to the culture of violence here in Mindanao, and lay the foundations where long lasting peace and sustainable development can take root and flourish,” Galvez added.

In a Facebook post, the OPAPP said that the construction of the building was funded through a memorandum of agreement it signed with the AFP in December 2020. It was constructed by the 549th Engineering Construction Battalion of the Philippine Army.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1162266