NewsOPAPP Establishes its Multi-Sector Governance Council as it Moves Towards Peace and Transformation
OPAPP Establishes its Multi-Sector Governance Council as it Moves Towards Peace and Transformation
METRO MANILA, (11 August 2021) — Now in the Compliance Stage of its Performance Governance System (PGS) Journey focused on ensuring its strategies are executed to attain its vision of a just and lasting peace for the nation and for all Filipinos, OPAPP established and formally launched its Multi-Sector Governance Council (MSGC) August 11, 2021.
Composed of eminent persons in the fields of peace and conflict resolution who are key stakeholders in the peace process from national line agencies, local government units, academe, civil society, women and the youth sectors, the MSGC shall be providing substantive advice and targeted contributions to the organization for the movement of its strategic priorities.
With their help, pursuing the strategy regardless of the leadership team becomes more pressing as the MSGC holds the organization accountable for the strategic goals contained in its Peace and Transformation Roadmap.
Through the PGS, it is envisioned that OPAPP’s peace building initiatives will become more effective, responsive and sustainable, particularly in transforming former rebels to make the transition into peaceful and productive members of society, and conflict-affected areas into peaceful, productive and resilient communities .
This drive for excellence, innovation and quality service was prioritized by Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., as the agency began its PGS journey in 2019, a year before the COVID-19 pandemic struck.
But even in the midst of the pandemic and even in the face of many complex challenges including the implementation of agreements, the continuing communist armed conflict and the rise of radicalization and violent extremism, OPAPP remains committed to implement all targeted and programmed interventions under the Philippine Comprehensive Peace Process.
“Building, nurturing and sustaining peace is a shared responsibility that entails the commitment, support and active participation of all sectors of society. Thus, we will only be able to achieve our mission and vision with the continued support and assistance of our peace partners and stakeholders who have been a part of our peace journey. This is why we believe that the MSGC’s presence and role will be very integral in assisting OPAPP in realizing and executing its vision, commitments, and strategic direction,” said Galvez in his closing message.
Transformative journey
For his part, OPAPP Undersecretary Isidro Purisima emphasized that the agency must continuously evolve based on emerging realities on the ground so that it can better serve its peace partners and other stakeholders.
“Our road to just and lasting peace has two paths of transformation — one of which we facilitate for our external clients and [the] other is our internal/organizational transformation to enable us to effectively and efficiently fulfill our mandate while being responsive to our emerging realities,” Purisima said.
He explained how the OPAPP’s Strategic Roadmap is anchored on the Duterte Administration’s Six-Point Peace and Development Agenda, as reflected in Chapter 17 of the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022.
This roadmap covers the peace processes with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF); Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF); Localized Peace Engagements with former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front; Rebolusyonaryong Partidong Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/ Revolutionary Proletarian Army/ Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPM-P/RPA/ABB-TPG); and the Cordillera Bodong Administration-Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CBA-CPLA).
These are complemented by the cross-cutting programs on Social Healing and Peacebuilding (SHAPE), which contributes to the institutional capacity development through the mainstreaming of the conflict sensitive, and peace promoting (CSPP) approaches within OPAPP and among partner agencies, civil society organizations and community stakeholders; and, PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn Program (PAMANA), which implements peace-promoting, catch-up socio-economic interventions in conflict affected and vulnerable areas as well as helps build a culture of peace and conflict sensitivity.
Start with education
During the discussions, MSGC member and Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy President Amina Rasul – Bernardo, recommended that OPAPP provide former MILF and MILF combatants the opportunity to pursue their education as they undergo the normalization process.
“When you have combatants who have zero literacy, even though you provided opportunities for livelihood but [they] are not functionally literate, it’s not going to be feasible because they are unemployable,” Rasul pointed out.
“So we need to provide them with the skills and perhaps we can work with the Department of Education,” she added.
Meanwhile, Department of National Defense Undersecretary Cesar B. Yano supported Rasul’s proposal, saying that the children of former combatants must also be given equal importance by raising their literacy levels.
“I have seen that even the children of our combatants are not going to school. There should be a mechanism wherein we give more focus on the education of the children of rebels or combatants,” Yano noted.
Galvez agreed with the suggestions of Rasul and Yano, as he highlighted the importance of education in the transformation process of the former combatants.
“Education is key in resolving our problems. The support that the government has given should have a substantial effect on the lives of our people and maybe we can recalibrate our program and see to it that they will form part of our major programs,” the peace adviser said.
Other members of the MSGC include: Department of Environment and Natural Resources Undersecretary Jim Sampulna; BARMM Member of Parliament Atty. Jose I. Lorena; Ateneo de Manila University professor Dr. Jennifer “Apple” Santiago-Oreta; OPAPP Consultant for CSPP and Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Ms. Maria Victoria Z. Maglana; Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue Senior Advisor Ambassador Rafael E. Seguis; Ateneo de Davao University President Fr. Joel E. Tabora, SJ; OPAPP consultant for indigenous peoples’ concerns Atty. Reuben D. Lingating; Philippine News Agency Director Virginia Arcilla-Agtay; and, Lanao del Sur Provincial Board Member Jamil Faisal Adiong.
Good governance through transparency and accountability
OPAPP’s efforts to improve its systems and procedures have paid dividends, as the agency was nominated to the Association of Government Accountants of the Philippines (AGAP) Outstanding Accounting Offices by the Commission of Audit with a rating of 95%.
OPAPP’s ratings during the previous years were at 70%.
“Congratulations to all of us. This is a great accomplishment made possible by the dedicated men and women of the bureaucracy. We will continue to keep up the good work,” Galvez said as he addressed his Management Committee. END
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