Manila: Wars do not feed the hungry and neither do they bring development, according to Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento. In a statement late Sunday, the OPAPRU chief reiterated his call for all remnants of the New People's Army (NPA) to stop hostilities and reunite with the government for integration into mainstream society.
According to Philippines News Agency, Sarmiento made this call following a meeting with former rebels residing in Catubig, Northern Samar, and Maslog, Eastern Samar earlier. There, the OPAPRU chief emphasized the importance of peace, reconciliation, and community reintegration. "Itigil na ang giyera" (stop the war now)," he stressed. He also led groundbreaking and turnover activities for infrastructure projects funded under the government's "PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn" (PAMANA) Program.
'Kung bumaba kayo (mula sa bundok) dahil gusto ninyo may mailapit sa gobyerno, bitawan ang armas. Lumahok sa gobyerno dahil mandatory ang citizen participation o participatory governance (If you come down from the mountains, you want to make a demand or request from the government, lay down your arms. Join or discuss with the government your needs as citizen participation or participatory governance is mandatory for everyone)," Sarmiento said.
The OPAPRU chief also reminded all NPA remnants that armed conflict only drains resources that could otherwise be used to improve the socioeconomic conditions of communities. 'Sa giyera, kada putok ng baril, kalahating kilo ng bigas iyon (in war, every shot fired from a gun is equivalent to the cost of a half a kilo of rice)," he added.
Sarmiento also said that it would be much better if the funds intended for conflict were used for education, health, agriculture, and livelihood opportunities as these can help marginalized communities. 'Kaya ang giyera, hindi makakalutas sa gutom (war does not solve hunger)," he added.
In Maslog, Eastern Samar, Sarmiento led the turnover of the 15-kilometer Phase 1 Maslog-Jipapad Road, which amounted to PHP163 million, which was turned over, together with the PHP30 million Panic-an Bridge, both funded under the PAMANA Program's Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 budget. The event also marked the groundbreaking ceremony for Phase 2 of the PHP50-million Maslog-Jipapad Road under the program's FY 2025 budget. Meanwhile, a groundbreaking ceremony was held in Catubig, Northern Samar, for a road project worth PHP50-million funded under PAMANA's FY 2026 budget.
These PAMANA infrastructure projects not only aim to enhance connectivity among communities and support local economies, but also to address conditions that contribute to conflict and underdevelopment by expanding access to government services, connecting communities to opportunities, and promoting inclusive growth.
