PAMANA AREAS

PIA| BAGUIO CITY, July 17 -- Local government units in the Cordillera have been asked to pursue implementation of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed between the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CPLA) and its political wing, the Cordillera Bodong Administration (CBA), with the Philippine government last year.

The MOA included an economic reintegration provision for qualified members of the CPLA-CBA, which has now changed its name to Cordillera Forum for Peace and Development as registered under the Securities and Exchange Commission.

"The key to the successful implementation of development projects is partnership,” said CPLA Chair Arsenio Humiding, emphasizing that they will continue doing their best in working with concerned government agencies and local government units.

Humiding described the first year of the implementation of the MOA signed on July 4, 2011 as a difficult process but he hopes that before 2012 ends, implementation of all projects will be finished.

“Let us talk, patch up differences, agree on and implement what needs to be done for the communities of Cordillera,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process cited some of the achievements on the first year of the implementation of the MOA.

OPAPP Undersecretary Maria Cleofe Sandoval said the implementation of the projects under the Pamana, or Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (Peaceful and Resilient Communities) program is ongoing after funds were given to the local government units in December 2012.

Pamana is the government’s program and framework for peace and development in areas affected by conflict and communities covered by existing peace agreements. It aims to reduce poverty, improve governance and empower communities in situations of armed conflict.

Among the ongoing Pamana projects in CBA-CPLA areas were the improvement of Ampaliok-Pakpaka farm-to-market road (FMR) in Ampaliok, Luba, Abra; improvement of Pega-Butigue-Batotong irrigation canal in Sabnangan, Luba, Abra; construction of potable water system in Dominglay, Licuaan Baay; construction of Calafug-Masico road in Calafug, Conner, Apayao; construction of warehouse and solar drying facility in Malibang, Pudtol, Apayao; construction of Nabuangan-Paddawan road in Nabuangan, Conner, Apayao; and improvement of Fubuyan-Fangorao FMR in Maligcong, Bontoc, Mt. Province.

Concreting of the junction to Caragasan Road in Caragasan, Alfonso Lista, Ifugao has been finished and will be opened in two weeks to 24 days. The rehabilitation and reopening of Dangadangan-Copcopit FMR in Dalipey, Bakun, Benguet, on the other hand, is 90-percent complete, she reported.

Sandoval also revealed that out of the total number profiled, the group affirmed 1,221 names as their official members who will be covered by the economic reintegration provision.

She added that as part of social preparation, Enterprise Development Orientation activities were conducted by the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Social Welfare and Development and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority among the members of the 10 organized people’s organizations in the six Cordillera provinces.

Sandoval expressed optimism that the MOA between the government and the Cordillera Forum for Peace and Development (CBA-CPLA) will accomplish more as it enters its second year of implementation.

“There have been challenges during the first year, but these have made us all the more patient and persistent in realizing the goals of the MOA. I hope that the entire government, as well as the public, will support us in these endeavors,” she said.

The MOA is expected to complete the demobilization, reintegration and transformation of the CBA-CPLA into a socio-economic organization.#