TUGUEGARAO CITY, CAGAYAN – In consonance with the RTF-ELCAC Localized Peace Engagement (LPE) cluster’s objective to provide efficient structures and mechanisms for the localization of the government’s peace efforts through local peace dialogues, DILG Region 2 initiated a capacity development on peace building and peace keeping initiatives dubbed as “TULAY-PAYAPA: Tulong at Gabay para sa Payapang Pamayanan on March 15, 2022.
Fr. Adonis Bringas and Director Maria Carla Munsayac-Villarta, both from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), served as resource persons during the one-day program, which was divided into two (2) sessions.
Assistant Regional Director Elpidio A. Durwin, CESO IV, acknowledging the participants of the activity.
Also attending the webinar were DILG Undersecretary and LPE National Cluster Head, Marlo L. Iringan and Regional Director Joanthan Paul M. Leusen, Jr., where the latter mentioned that in pursuing the ultimate goal of lasting peace, real and effective counter-insurgency measures should not solely rely on brute force but should rather involve a combination of efforts and participation both from the government and members of the community.
Dir. Maria Carla Munsyac-Villarta, Director IV, discussing the two track approach for localization of the LPE process.
Usec. Iringan, meanwhile, emphasized the need to establish a connection with those who are fighting against the government.
“Through immersing on the experiences of our people, we get to fully understand the travails they are going through and the root causes of their struggles. Along with the government’s effort to reach out and mediate the problems on peace, is the building of a robust bridge to a peaceful and prosperous community,” He said.
Fr. Adonis B. Bringas, PPO III, presenting the legal bases of the peacebuilding framework.
The first session was an orientation on the conduct of local peace dialogues, presented by Dir. Maria Carla Munsayac-Villarta. She discussed the six-point peace and development agenda of the OPAPRU and further delved on the operating structure of the Localized Peace Engagement Office. She also provided a glimpse on the two-track approach of the LPE process.
Regional Director Jonathan Paul M. Leusen Jr., CESO III, awarding the certificate of appreciation to Dir. Maria Carla Munsayac-Villarta.
The afternoon session was presided by OPAPRU North Luzon Manager, Rev. Fr. Adonis Bringas, who comprehensively discussed topics on conflict sensitivity and peace promotion. He also shared basic principles and tenets of peace building, highlighting the essential role of the Local Government Units (LGUs).
Moreover, he discussed the foundations of Conflict Sensitivity and Peace Promotion (CSSP) namely, the Do No Harm Principle of Intervention and Peace and Conflict Impact Assessment Process.
“Let us always check our interventions. It should not be conflict-promoting but rather be peace building,” he explained.
Participants from across the region.
The online activity catered to all members of the Regional LPE cluster, the Provincial Peace Panels, and all Peace and Order (POC) Head Secretariats across the region, capacitating them in efficiently conducting peace dialogues and effecting conflict sensitive and peace promoting approaches in dealing with the insurgency situation in the region.
The DILG R2 remains committed to continue providing mechanisms for the localization of government’s peace efforts in order to uphold the Department’s vision of promoting peace and order in the communities.
SOURCE: Eldrin Gianne C. Bañez ADA IV
