Preparations are underway for the closure of the peace pact between the government and the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa-Pilipinas-Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade Tabara-Paduano Group.

Representatives the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process yesterday met with various government agencies on appropriate livelihood and other development interventions for conflict-affected communities identified by the rebel group.

Lt. Col. Isabelo de los Reyes, 303rd Infantry Brigade Civil Military Operations officer, yesterday said OPPAP and various government line agencies, including the Armed Forces and Philippine National Police, held a brainstorming session and workshop, on how to implement government projects and programs in identified areas, that was presided over by Undersecretary Luisito Montalvo, at the Sugarland Hotel in Bacolod City.

OPPAP aims to put a closure on the government peace agreement with the RPM-P-RPA-ABB this year.

The Philippine government has earmarked P91 million more for the implementation of infrastructure and livelihood projects in communities affected by the armed conflicts in Negros island, as identified by the rebel group.

This was after the government completed the socio-economic profiling of RPA-ABB members, totaling 495 in Negros and Panay islands.

OPPAP and Governor Alfredo Maranon Jr. recently signed a memorandum of agreement for P23 million livelihood and infrastructure projects in Negros Occidental, that will cover the agri –based enterprise development projects and a farm-to-market road in Calatrava hinterlands.

Montalbo earlier said the profiling will guide the government in creating peace and development in communities that will serve as resettlement sites for Tabara-Paduano Group members, that is supported by local government chief executives, and civil society organizations, among others.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Negros Occidental had earlier approved a resolution that granted authority to Maranon to sign a MOA with OPPAP on the implementation of PAMANA (Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan) programs and projects in conflict-affected areas in the province, that amounts to P91 million.

The mandatory provision for the closure pact with the RPMP-RPA-ABB is the disposition of arms and forces and its transformation into a legal, unarmed, socio-economic organization, Montalvo said.

The RPA-ABB broke away from the mainstream New People’s Army over ideological differences in 1996. It entered into a peace agreement with the government in 2000, that was signed in Don Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental. *GPB

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