The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process will make sure that the provisions of the peace agreement between the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa-Pilipinas-Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade Tabara Paduano Group and the Philippine government will be fully implemented.

This was claimed by Undersecretary Ma. Cleofe Gettie Sandoval who said that they want to ensure the sustainability of the livelihood program for more than 700 profiled RPM-P-RPA-ABB members, provide them with adequate relocation sites, and an education program for their children.

There are five relocation sites identified for former rebels, located in the cities of San Carlos, Victorias, and Kabankalan in Negros Occidental, Tanjay City in Negros Oriental and one in Aklan.

“We can't present it to President Benigno Aquino III until it is finished,” Sandoval said at the Bangsamoro Basic Law forum organized by Pilipina-Negros Occidental chapter at the Mayfair Plaza in Bacolod City.

Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca registered his opposition to the establishment of a resettlement area for former rebels in Brgy. Gawahon, Victorias City, which is a tourist destination area.

Citing security reasons, Sandoval said there is a continuing dialog between the OPPAP and Palanca, who wants the proposed resettlement area to be relocated to other areas of Victorias City.

“Hopefully, we can submit it to the president as soon as possible,” she added.

Sandoval said they hope the closure agreement will be signed by President Aquino in the second quarter of the year.

During his recent visit to Negros Occidental, President Aquino said they are completing the peace agreement with the former rebel group now known as Kapatiran.

BANGSAMORO BASIC LAW

Sandoval, who is now making the rounds in key areas of the country to explain the controversial BBL, admitted that majority of the participants in the forums have no idea about it.

While BBL focuses on development in the Bangsamoro areas of Mindanao, it will benefit the entire country, in the end, she claimed.

Whatever happens in Mindanao affects the whole country, as violence can easily move from one place to another, Sandoval said.

The forum on BBL was co-sponsored by the DAWN Foundation Inc. Provincial Council for Women of Negros Occidental and the National Anti-Poverty Commission-Women Sectoral Council.*GPB

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