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Thursday, February 02, 2006
Arroyo signs EO to firm up Mindanao peace, dev't efforts
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo recently directed the rationalization and consolidation of peace and development efforts in Mindanao, which is further boosting current thrusts to secure peace in the island.
Arroyo signed last week Executive Order 496, which placed at least four Mindanao-based offices principally involved in the government's peace and development efforts, under the oversight of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (Opapp).
Oppap is the lead agency tasked with the implementation and supervision of the government's comprehensive peace efforts.
These offices include the Mindanao Economic Development Council, Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (Armm) Social Fund for Peace and Development, Mindanao Peace and Development Fund, and the Office of Muslim Affairs.
Created in 1992, Mindanao Economic Development Council is tasked to promote and coordinate the active and extensive participation of all sectors to effect socio-economic development of Mindanao.
It was also designated as the Philippine Coordinating Office for Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-Eaga).
On the other hand, the Armm Social Fund is tasked to promote peace and development in conflict-affected and influenced communities with the Armm.
Mindanao Peace and Development Fund, which replaced the deactivated Southern Philippines Development Authority, is similarly tasked to socio-economic development in conflict-affected areas outside of Armm.
Meanwhile, Office of Muslim Affairs is mandated primarily to provide advice and assistance to the President in the formulation, coordination, implementation, and monitoring of policies and projects affecting Muslim communities.
It is likewise tasked to undertake and coordinate development programs for the advancement of Muslim communities.
Malacañang stressed the strategic importance of ensuring the integration and rationalization of peace and development efforts in Mindanao, noting the need to accelerate these efforts and expand to areas that are in need most of government support.
It also noted dramatic rise in the level of development efforts being carried out in Mindanao today by various players, which necessitate a straightforward mechanism to rationalize implementation of multi-level development initiatives and ensure integration of these activities toward a collective end.
Under EO 496, the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process "shall oversee and whenever appropriate, have the authority to direct and or manage projects related to the government's comprehensive peace and development efforts."
In January this year, Arroyo named Mindanao Economic Development Council chair Secretary Jesus G. Dureza as head of Opapp.
(February 2, 2006 issue)
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