BAGUIO CITY (PIA) -- In continuing support to the normalization program of the Government of the Philippines-Cordillera Bodong Administration-Cordillera People's Liberation Army (GPH-CBA-CPLA) peace process, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) inked memorandum of agreement with three institutions.  

Specifically for the implementation of the second phase of the Sustainable and Inclusive Peace and Reconciliation (SIPAT) Program this year, the OPAPRU through Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr   signed a MOA with the Department of Agriculture - Regional Field Office-Cordillera (DA-RFO-CAR) through Regional Executive Director Cameron Odsey.  

The OPAPRU also partnered with the Kalinga State University through University President Eduardo Bagtang, and with the Abra State Institute of Science and Technology through University President Gregorio Turqueza Jr. for the implementation of capacity building programs for the members of the CBA-CPLA.

Galvez turned over P18 million to the DA-RFO-CAR to sustain the efforts of the agency in pushing development in CBA-CPLA communities. He said that this is just the start of their continuous support and they plan to expand the program in partnership with other government agencies.

"This will initially initiate sustainable projects that will capacitate our previous, 'yung mga tinatawag natin na combatants, and their families and their communities to at least achieve 'yung tinatawag nating peace dividends," Galvez said.

Odsey pledged that through the fund from OPAPRU, they will expand their efforts in improving the livelihoods of the said communities and sustain these even when the funding stops.

"Malaking bagay po ang budget na ibinigay ng OPAPP na matulungan at ma-sustain 'yung mga nasimulan sa DA dito sa mga communities na 'to. These communities need continued assistance because 'yung mga pinaka-basic na pangangailangan nila ay problema pa," Odsey said.

He bared through their partnership with OPAPRU in 2021, they were given more opportunities to give assistance to these communities through the programs and project of the DA.

Bagtang and Turqueza also committed their support in these programs to uplift the lives of the Cordillerans.

Bagtang stated that the KSU has four functions which include the extension which fits the program where they can capacitate the beneficiaries.

"With this program, we have high hopes that we can now provide solution to what we are aspiring and dreaming in the Cordillera," he said.

Turqueza, on the other hand, said that they are hopeful that this program will help in the economic upliftment of the people of Abra.

"This may be a continuous struggle for all of us to give also our part in the upliftment of the livelihood of our people in the Cordillera Administrative Region in general," Turqueza said.

The SIPAT program aims to empower the beneficiaries to become self-reliant and capacitated to meaningfully contribute to the promotion of communities’ well-being and to nation-building. (JDP/DEG-PIA CAR)