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Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles has called on the people to study the issues surrounding the peace process between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) so they can input their ideas in the crafting of a final peace agreement.

“Read and study. You will see how broad and deep the GPH-MILF peace process is. You will understand how much there is that needs to be discussed on the peace table,” Deles told stakeholders during the People Power Volunteers for Reform (PPVR) National Volunteers Expo held at the Xavier School Multipurpose Center in San Juan City early this week.

“Ask if there are things that need to be further explained and help in crafting an agreement that is acceptable to the majority,” she added.
In her speech, Deles stressed the value of citizen participation in the peace process, saying that “ordinary citizens should take part in supporting and guarding the peace talks,” in light of the successfully concluded 27th GPH-MILF formal exploratory talks held in Kuala Lumpur on April 24.

During the talks, both parties signed the Decision Points on Principles which serve as a guide in the discussions on the substantive agenda of the negotiations.

The peace adviser said that the milestone document will dismiss negative feedback that nothing is happening on the peace table.
Among those present at the PPVR confab were President Benigno S. Aquino III, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Soliman, Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, Commission on Overseas Filipinos Chairperson Imelda Nicolas, Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Ronald Llamas, National Anti-Poverty Commission Secretary Joel Rocamora, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Director-General Joel Villanueva, and Education Undersecretary Lino Rivera.

The expo was highlighted by the turnover to President Aquino of PPVR’s citizen mapping report which details the activities and projects of PPVR, and serves as a ready resource for civil society groups and government agencies in identifying who to engage on the ground in pursuing strategic local reform agenda.

A strong supporter of the peace process, PPVR is a national coalition of geographic Citizens Volunteer Assemblies and National Volunteer Organizations that commits itself to contributing to good governance and poverty alleviation.

by: Ben Cal - PNA