The government is implementing its PAMANA (PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn) in 56 target conflict-affected barangays in 20 towns across Negros Oriental and Occidental, the Office of Presidential Adviser on Peace Process said in a media briefing in Bacolod City yesterday.

PAMANA, the national government’s peace and development framework for empowering conflict-affected areas in the country and reducing poverty, is a priority program of President Benigno Aquino III. It is in support of efforts to reach a peace settlement with the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa Pilipinas-Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade, the OPAPP said.

The government is implementing a two pronged-approach to achieving a settlement: first through formal peace talks, and second through PAMANA that seeks to close the gap between what happens on the negotiating table and the realities on the ground, OPAPP added.

Stakeholders in the peace settlement are currently  holding a three-day meeting in Bacolod City to indentify projects to be implemented as part of the PAMANA  roadmap, with the RPMP-RPA-ABB having identified the targeted barangays to be covered.

President Aquino has ordered the OPAPP to step up the government peace process with the RPMP-RPA-ABB, Undersecretary Luisito Montalbo, OPAPP executive director, said earlier.

“PNoy wants to put a close to all of this armed conflicts before his term ends…we are now focusing our attention on the RPA-ABB,” he said.

The RPM-P/RPA-ABB signed a peace agreement with the national government in Don Salvador Benedicto town in Negros Occidental on Dec. 10, 2000 witnessed by then President Joseph Estrada.

At the briefing yesterday it was disclosed that the OPAPP will prepare the groundwork for the PAMANA projects that will then be turned over to the departments of Agrarian Reform, Social Welfare and Development, and Interior and Local Government for implementation.

PAMANA also serves as a guide for national and local government agencies, international donors and non-government organizations in providing various interventions to address conditions that create unpeace, the OPAPP said.

Its main strategy is to bring back government in target communities by ensuring that they benefit from improved delivery of basic social services and are served by responsive, transparent and accountable governments.

It also aims to contribute to lasting peace by: reducing  poverty and vulnerability through community infrastructure and focused delivery of social services; improvement in governance through partnerships with national and local institutions, building capacities for governance, and enhancement of transparency and accountability mechanisms; and empowerment of communities and strengthening of their capacity to address issues of peace through activities that ensure participation and inclusion, the OPAPP said.*CPG

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