Keynote of Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity Secretary Carlito Galvez (as read by OPAPRU Undersecretary David B. Diciano)

[A message delivered to the participants of "Usapang Bangsamoro sa Panahon ng Pandemya"  as read by OPAPRU Undersecretary David B. Diciano.  The conference was held at Grand Pagana Hall, Cotabato City and via online through Zoom on July 29-30, 2020]

Salam and Eid al-adha Mubarak!

I understand our Muslim brothers and sisters are fasting today in observance of the 9th day of Dhul Hijjah. Tomorrow, you shall be praying with your families as you celebrate Eid al-Adha.

Although you are commemorating a very important religious occasion, and as the nation battles this pandemic, this online forum managed to push through. This is a testament of our genuine and collective desire to sustain the gains of peace in the Bangsamoro.

Our attention may have temporarily shifted, as we address the many challenges brought about by this unprecedented health crisis. But our journey towards achieving just and lasting in the region has not lost its momentum.

Thank you and congratulations to the Mindanao Peaceweavers (MPW) for spearheading this forum. Over the years, your organization has been an invaluable partner of the office of the presidential adviser on the peace process in promoting peace, mutual understanding and reconciliation in the Bangsamoro.

My speech is divided into three parts. First, I will share with you the interventions being carried out by the government to prevent the spread and mitigate the impact of Covid-19.  Second, I will provide you updates on the Bangsamoro Peace Process as we adapt to the ‘new normal.’ Finally, I shall discuss how members of civil society and peace advocates can play a stronger role, as we implement the political and normalization tracks of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).

The National Action Plan (NAP) against Covid-19, the strategic framework of the government in fighting the pandemic, is now in its second phase of implementation. It will run from July to September of this year.

The NAP Phase II remains anchored on the government’s Prevent, Detect, Isolate, Treat, and Reintegrate (PDITR) strategy. It aims to strengthen the nation’s healthcare system by protecting our medical frontliners, and establishing more testing laboratories, mega swabbing facilities, and quarantine facilities nationwide.

Specifically, NAP Phase II is focused on ensuring the health and safety of the Filipino people, while breathing life into the nation’s economy. It is dovetailed to "the hammer and the dance" theory, wherein community quarantine restrictions could be tightened if there is a marked increase in Covid-19 cases, as the government creates the conditions that will enable businesses to operate and allow people to return to work.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte appointed four gentlemen to help in the effective implementation of NAP Phase II. They include our tracing czar Baguio city mayor Benjamin Magalong; our testing czar BCDA president secretary Vince Dizon; our isolation czar DPWH secretary Mark Villar; and our treatment czar DOH undersecretary Leopoldo Vega.

Under the guidance of mayor Magalong, the government continues to strengthen its contact tracing capability. We believe this will be the key in curbing the further spread of the disease, as we shall be able to efficiently identify individuals who could be possibly infected by the virus, and immediately isolate them from the rest of the community.

Since his appointment, mayor Magalong has been holding dialogues with local government units and members of the security sector to share with them Baguio’s best practices, which employ the latest techniques and technologies in contact tracing. With the full support of our LGUs, we hope to replicate the ‘Baguio experience’ throughout the country.

In the meantime, the government, in partnership with the private sector, continues to ramp up the nation’s testing capacity. from only two (2) testing laboratories in March, the country now has ninety four (94) accredited Covid-19 testing laboratories. As of July 29, we have tested a total of 1,312,139 individuals. Our target is to be able to  conduct around 10 million tests by next year.

In line with the government’s efforts to improve the management of Covid-19 patients, the DPWH is helping four public hospitals expand their facilities. These include the Lung Center of the Philippines, Philippine General Hospital, East Avenue Medical Center and Quirino Memorial Medical Center.

And as part of the goal of boosting our health system’s treatment capability, we have established the “one hospital command,” which aims to create a seamless referral and coordination system between public and private hospitals throughout the country. it will maximize the use of level 1 and level 2 isolation facilities for mild cases. This will prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed, allowing them to better respond to severe cases.

This concludes our report on the government’s tracing, testing, isolation, and treatment interventions in our fight against Covid-19. Let us, however, let us keep in mind that no matter how comprehensive these strategies are, it will not bear fruit unless all of us adhere to minimum health standards which include the wearing of face masks, regular hand washing, and observing social distancing.

Let us now proceed to our updates and ways forward on the Bangsamoro Peace Process, as the country makes the transition to the new normal.

As earlier mentioned, the implementation of political and normalization tracks of the CAB continues despite the current limitations we confront due to the health crisis.

Under the normalization track, we have successfully decommissioned 12,000 MILF combatants and their weapons under the second phase of decommissioning. The GPH and the MILF Peace Implementing Panels are now preparing the groundwork for the third phase of decommissioning wherein 14,000 combatants and their weapons will be decommissioned.

Each of the 12,000 decommissioned combatants under phase 2 have already received financial assistance from the government. And the OPAPP’s socioeconomic team is closely working with the MILF leadership in order to implement other socio-economic interventions for their members and transform their camps into show windows of peace and development.

Under the political track, we are helping the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) interim government to strengthen their systems and institutions.

We have also established the National Government-Bangsamoro Government Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB) in order to coordinate the policies and programs of both governments, and to further strengthen their relationship.

Two of the intergovernmental bodies under the IGRB have already met virtually-the Joint Body for the Zones of Joint Cooperation (JBZJC) and the Intergovernmental Fiscal Policy Board (IFPB). The other intergovernmental bodies are expected to conduct similar meetings.

We acknowledge the challenges our governments face during this transition period. We are pleased to note that our peace mechanisms such as the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) and the International Monitoring Team (IMT) have continued to carry out their critical task amid this pandemic.

Meanwhile, Joint Peace and Security Teams (JPST)) have also been deployed in strategic areas across the region to help in maintaining peace and order in their communities. 

While all of these measures are being carried out, we are also preparing for the implementation of our peace agenda under the new normal, which incorporates minimum health standards in order to protect our peace workers, partners, and beneficiaries.

As we work towards fulfilling the provisions under the signed peace agreements, we in the national and Bangsamoro governments will need all the help we can get from our peace stakeholders, as we continue to recalibrate our response to the threats posed by the disease, while implementing our various peacebuilding initiatives.

This is where we believe civil society organizations can play a more active role. With your knowledge, skills and expertise, you can help us lay the groundwork for just and long-lasting peace to take root.

In particular, we would like to hear your suggestions on how we can further improve our camps transformation plans, communications, and advocacy strategies, and capacity-building efforts for the Bangsamoro government, among others.

CSOs and peace advocates have a strategic advantage, and that is, the strong bond you have nurtured with the communities you serve.  And it is this bond that will help us realize the aspirations of the Bangsamoro people.

We believe that moral governance is the foundation of long-lasting peace and sustainable development. It is this brand of governance that is transforming the Bangsamoro region into one of the most peaceful, progressive and resilient areas in the country.

Before I end, I would like to commend the leadership of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region for your swift and decisive action during this health crisis, while running the affairs of government. Your dedication, commitment and hard work has truly been remarkable. 

And to all the CSOs and peace advocates who attended this conference, maraming salamat po sa inyong patuloy na suporta sa ating pagsulong ng tunay at pangmatagalang kapayapaan sa Bangsamoro. All of the milestones we have achieved in the Bangsamoro peace process  would not have been possible without your invaluable support.

Let us all continue to work together, as we heal and recover as one nation.

Maraming salamat at mabuhay po tayong lahat!

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"Usapang Bangsamoro sa Panahon ng Pandemya" was a hybrid online and onsite conference initiated by MINDANAO PEACEWEAVERS and the KAAKBAY BANGSAMORO WORKING GROUP in collaboration with Balay Rehabilitation Center, Inc (Balay), Catholic Relief Services – Philippines (CRS), Christians for Peace Movement (CfPM), forumZFD, Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID), Kutawato Multimedia Network (Kumunet), Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP), Organization of Teduray and Lambangian Conference (OTLAC), United Youth for Peace and Development (UNYPAD), Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS), International Monitoring Team – Civilian Protection Component (IMT-CPC), League of Bangsamoro Organization (LBO), Mangungaya Mindanao Incorporated (MMI), Mindanao Action for Peace and Development Initiatives, Inc. (MAPAD), Moro Women Development and Cultural Center, Inc. (MWDECC), Teduray Lambangian Women’s Organization Inc. (TLWOI), Timuay Justice and Governance (TJG), UnYPhil-Women (Unyphil), and World Vision Development Foundation, Inc. It was also attended by international organizations and humanitarian groups who are pro-active stakeholders of peace.