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| Zamboanga del Norte Mayors Join Peace Process Gab in Dipolog |
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| Written by Kikay Taola |
| Thursday, 04 February 2010 09:10 |
 THE Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process(OPAPP) conducted anew another in a series of local-level consultations with Mindanao local government executives and Congressional representatives relative to the GRP-MILF peace process in partnership with Western Mindanao State University-Center for Peace and Development and Peace Advocates Zamboanga last January 7-8, which was held at Top Plaza Hotel, Dipolog City. The two-day activity was a follow-up to a perceived failed similar activity conducted by the government panel in the city last December 15 - 16 in Zamboanga City. Unlike the earlier consultation, the Dipolog City conference was well coordinated with all the participants properly informed beforehand. With sufficient notification, the Zamboanga del Norte consultation was attended by over 40 local government chief executives, including Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat. At the gathering, Lobregat reiterated his position addressed to GRP panel chief Ambassador Rafael Seguis ofthe Zamboanguenos’firm stand on the on-going peace process in Mindanao. Lobregat stressed that “it has also been the consistent view of the city and its residents that one of the crucial foundations for any peace process is that it should be based on true, genuine and meaningful public consultations not only with local government officials but also with the stakeholders and all sectors of the society, to include the indigenous cultural communities, religious leaders, academe, non-government organizations, the business communities, social and civic organizations, youth and the like.” Meanwhile, WMSU-CPD director Dr. Marcelina Carpizo said the peace process consultation is important in the lives to the regions’ people because “whatever is happening in our region, we are very much affected and having a representative in this consultation such as our local government unit who will be the ones who will voice out and serve as the sentiments of the people with regards with the on-going peace process negotiation.” She further added that after the consultation in Dipolog City, the same organizing committee will hold the third consultation in the city which will be participated by local chief executives of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-tawi. Aside from the 40 local chief executives who attended the consultation, five personnel of WMSU and PAZ were chosen by OPAPP to prepare and facilitate the consultative meetings with the different chief executives of Zamboanga del Norte and Dipolog City. The facilitators were Dr. Carpizo as head of the facilitating committee, Dr. RufinaCruz-College of Liberal Arts, Abdul Baqui-Berik-WMSU-CPD, Allain Paragas and Rommel Anthony Melad of WMSU-HANDOG office.(Kikay Taola) |