The government is reportedly eyeing the signing of the closure to its peace agreement with the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa-Pilipinas-Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade Tabara-Paduano Group in March or April this year.

Representatives from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process held a meeting with various government agencies, members of the civil society and peace advocate groups, leaders of the RPA-ABB, local government officials, as well as military and officials, last week in Bacolod City, to get inputs, on how to realize the peace agreement.

Col. Oscar Lactao, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, yesterday said the series of meetings presided over by OPPAP, is a continuing effort of the government to bring to closure the peace agreement with the RPA-ABB, being negotiated since year 2000.

While they gave some inputs on the disposition of rebel group forces and their firearms, Lactao said he is not privy to what has been discussed.

Whatever was discussed and agreed on, we will just follow and execute, he added.

Various line government agencies were consulted by OPPAP on appropriate livelihood and development interventions for conflict-affected communities identified by the RPA-ABB Tabara-Paduano Group in Negros island.

The Philippine government has earmarked P91 million more for the implementation of infrastructure and livelihood projects in communities in Negros island affected by the armed conflicts, 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 Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon 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 the Calatrava hinterlands.

As to the possible integration of qualified RPA-ABB members to the Armed Forces or Philippine National Police, Lactao merely replied “We are just an executioner of the agreement”.

He, however, stressed, that “Whatever the position of the government as of this time, we are still not aware of it”.

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 involved P91 million.* GPB

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