Gov’t intensifies development projects with RPMP, RPMM
|
| |
Manila, July 15 – As the government exerts its efforts to restart the peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation
Front (MILF) and the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army- National Democratic Front
(CPP-NPA-NDF), it continues to pursue peace and development projects with other two breakaway rebel
groups - the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas-Revolutionary Proletrian Army-Alex
Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB) and the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Mindanao
(RPMM).
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Avelino I. Razon Jr. announced today that in support to the interim
peace agreement with the RPMP-RPA-ABB signed in 2000, the government has completed four infrastructure
projects worth P 1.9-M in Central and Western Visayas.
These included school buildings in Culasi, Antique; Tigbauan, Iloilo; and Ibajay, Aklan, and a water system in
Zamboanguita, Negros Oriental.
Razon said construction of other infrastructure projects worth P 11-M is still ongoing in other areas such as
school buildings, water systems and health centers.
A day care center project funded by the Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding Programme (CPPBP) of the
government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) was recently turned over to village
officials in Barangay Cansilayan in Tigbauan, Iloilo.
Two other CPPBP-supported projects such as the water system in Barangay Tambad in Cauayan, Negros
Occidental and a school building in Brgy. Jawod in San Joaquin, Iloilo are due for completion.
In Mindanao, the government likewise carries on its development projects with the RPMM through the
Kalayaan Barangays Program (KBP).
At present, five barangays in Sultan Naga Dimaporo have started its infrastructure projects with support from
the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) 547th Engineer Construction Battalion.
Similar projects are also being implemented in four barangays in Godo, Zamboanga del Norte by the AFP’s
Engineer Construction Support Battalion.
Alongside these development projects, the government actively engages with the RPMP-RPA-ABB and the
RPMM through formal and informal channels to maintain the cessation of hostilities and seek other ways to
move the peace process forward.
Both panels from the government and the RPMP-RPA-ABB have maintained constant coordination on the
ground to avoid the eruption of clashes while efforts to process the remaining Alleged Political Offenders/
Political Prisoners (APOs/PPs) in detention are being pursued for presidential pardon.
On the other hand, the government continues to support the four agreements signed with the RPMM from
2003 to 2005 while aiming to forge a final peace accord.
These agreements included the Conduct of Peace Negotiations between the GRP and the RPMM; Cessation
of Hostilities; Joint Commitment to Pursue Peace and Development; and Agreement to Conduct Local Peace
Consultations.
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
