Buluan, Maguindanao, Feb. 9 – Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles expressed support to social and development programs in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), emphasizing that “peace and development are intertwined efforts.”

In her message during the launching of the program dubbed “Catch Up Plan for Social Services in ARMM” held in this town in Maguindanao recently, Deles pointed out that for the Aquino administration, “Dapat laging magkaugnay ang pagtulak ng kapayapaan at kaunlaran. Itong dalawang adhikain ay magkakambal na layunin (The promotion of peace and development should go together. These two are twin goals).”

“Kailangan laging magkaugnay, magkasabay, at magkatugma (They should always be connected, coordinated and harmonized),” she added.

Present in the said launching are Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman and ARMM OIC officials namely Governor Mujiv Hataman, Vice Gov. Hadja Bainon G. Karon, ARMM-DSWD OIC Secretary Hadja Pombaen Karon-Kader, and local government officials namely Maguindanao Gov. Esmael “Toto” Mangundadatu, Buluan Mayor Datu Ibrahim Mangundadatu, and Mother Kabuntalan Mayor Datu Salaban Diocolano.

Also present were Armed Forces of the Philippines 6th Infantry Battalion commander Major General Rey Ardo, government Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities chair Brigadier Gen. Ariel Bernardo, and secretariat head Maj. Carlos Sol.

Deles clarified that “it is absolutely not true that development programs pursued by the government serve to substitute peace negotiations” for settling armed conflicts.

“The government is determined to resolve conflicts through the comprehensive peace process and achieve just and lasting peace,” she stated.

Deles emphasized that the Aquino administration hopes to forge a peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) before the middle of the President’s term in 2013. “The President aims not only to sign within his term but also to implement and assess signed peace agreements and not pass it to the next administration,” she said.

Peace negotiations are ongoing between the government and the MILF to resolve the Bangsamoro problem. The next round of formal exploratory talks is slated this February in Kuala Lumpur.

Meanwhile, the peace adviser also said that the national government believes that development cannot wait. “Hindi pwedeng paghintayin ang mga mamamayan (We cannot make the people wait). Their immediate needs, which they long waited for, should be addressed.”

“This is the reason why the national government allocated the P8.5 billion ARMM Stimulus Fund and there is also the peace and development framework nationwide called the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) program intended for conflict-affected areas,” said Deles.

This year, the government will start implementing the P8.5-billion worth of roadmap and investment plan for the five provinces under the ARMM. These are intended for “socio economic development, governance reforms, and for improving peace and security in the region.”

The P8.5 billion disbursement acceleration fund is on top of the P11.8 billion regular ARMM budget for 2011.

From the said budget, P1.9 billion is earmarked for ARMM social welfare and development programs which are spearheaded by DSWD.

“This is due to the fact that the reforms are focused on the needs of our poor fellowmen. Reforms should be felt by them,” said Soliman.

Genuine development is founded on “the straight path” (tuwid na daan) and “genuine peace,” she added.

Good governance

Further, Deles said that “peace and development cannot be achieved without good governance” anchored on the “straight path.”

“We (in the national government) will always continue to reiterate the call. Let’s all help, join hands, and actively participate and monitor (socio-political and economic issues and programs) so that we can altogether achieve peace and development for all Filipinos including our children and the future generations,” she conveyed.

In his speech, Hataman said “Cast in stone, change (reforms in the region) will be achieved.”

ARMM reforms focus on three areas, namely: governance with a special focus on making the bureaucracy functional, electoral reforms, and eradication of corruption with a priority on the regional Department of Education; peace and security with  special focus on regulating the proliferation of loose firearms and neutralization of private armies; and socio-economic reform with special focus on enterprise and livelihood development.

In addition, Hataman emphasized that he aims to restore confidence and change the perception of leadership which has been stereotyped among Muslim officials.  “We aim to restore trust, dignity, and integrity in our leadership,” he said.

After the launching, Deles joined the groundbreaking ceremony for the Modified Shelter Assistance and Day Care Center construction in Mother Kabuntulan, Maguindanao for displaced families affected by armed conflicts and flooding in 2011.

The shelter assistance and day care center construction are among the first projects funded under the ARMM Stimulus Fund.