Exec says government–CPLA pact will uplift lives

BANAUE, Ifugao –- The closure agreement recently forged between the Philippine Government and the Cordillera Bodong Administration-Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CBA-CPLA) aims to bring development to the region.

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (Opapp) Undersecretary Cleofe Sandoval assured the Cordillera Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) that the closure agreement recently forged between the government and the CBA-CPLA will reflect both their development aspirations for the region.

“Projects identified in the MOA (Memorandum of Agreement) will not be stand alone projects. They are in line with the plan of the whole region in terms of economic development,” said Sandoval during the RPOC’s 3rd quarterly meeting held recently in this town.

“It will definitely be consistent with the targets of the leaders in the Cordillera and therefore a lot of feasibility and validation will happen to make sure they are really needed by the people and they will really serve the purpose for which they are intended for,” she added.

“Pamana is a complementary track to peace as the current government recognizes that development needs to happen side by side with the pursuit of a negotiated political settlement with armed groups. In the Cordillera, what have been negotiated by the government and the CBA-CPLA will be vigorously manifested and sustained on the ground via the implementation of the MOA,” Sandoval explained.

Sandoval also said the development plans under the government-CPLA agreement will be implemented through Pamana.

Opapp will start the community validation series on Pamana by the third week of September. A Project Management Office will be set up to spearhead the activities for said purpose.

Infrastructure projects initially listed for community validation are warehouses and solar drying facilities, irrigation canals, potable water systems, school buildings, and road improvements, among others.