Legarda stresses peacebuilding as lifelong mission at PAMANA MOA signing

Senator Loren Legarda stressed her lifelong mission of peacebuilding, recalling her decades of work mediating in conflict areas, negotiating the release of captives, and championing programs that transform peace agreements into development dividends for communities long deprived of basic services.

She delivered this message as Guest of Honor and Speaker at the signing of the PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn (PAMANA) Memorandum of Agreement between the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) and implementing local government units held on March 26, 2026 at Foro de Intramuros, Manila.

“Negotiation may stop the gunfire for a time, but only development can prevent it from starting again,” Legarda said.

Legarda recalled her early missions in Sorsogon, Lianga, Marilog, Kalayaan, and Jolo, where she risked her life to secure the release of police officers, soldiers, and journalists.

“I placed myself in the middle of a crossfire with no script and no certainty about what would happen, focused only on the outcomes that the captives would return home alive, that we could open space for peaceful dialogue, and that I would return safely to my children,” Legarda recounted.

The four-term senator also worked with the late Bishop Jesus Varela and Bishop Tomas Millamena of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente in the release of Army Major Noel Buan, and later, the release of journalists Arlyn dela Cruz, Ces Drilon, and Jimmy Encarnacion.

She emphasized that peace must be sustained by addressing poverty, exclusion, injustice, and lack of opportunity.

“We stood firm that we would not validate abduction as a business model. We did not agree to ransom, instead, we committed to bring development assistance to communities long deprived of basic services,” Legarda said.

As a National Security professional who graduated top of her class at the National Defense College of the Philippines, Legarda underscored that security is about ensuring conditions that prevent conflict from arising again.

The PAMANA Program is the government’s flagship peace and development convergence program targeting conflict-affected and geographically isolated communities.

Since 2011, PAMANA has mobilized over ₱75.8 billion in investments for conflict-affected communities, delivering roads, bridges, housing, health services, and livelihood projects. The MOA outlines the operational, reportorial, and post-implementation requirements for project execution, ensuring clarity, coordination, and accountability among implementing partners.

As Chairperson of the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification, and Reconciliation, and as Chair of the Senate Committee on Culture and the Arts, Legarda reinforced this approach through Senate Bill No. 532, which institutionalizes a Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Program for the Bangsamoro, and through an additional ₱850 million in the 2026 General Appropriations Act to expand OPAPRU’s Educational Assistance Program.

“Through education, we aim to reduce the appeal of violence and expand the horizon of what is possible for the next generation of Filipinos,” Legarda said.

Legarda closed by urging LGUs to ensure inclusivity and transparency in implementing PAMANA projects.

“Peacebuilding requires the careful rebuilding of trust where none existed and the delicate balancing of principle and pragmatism in the face of real and unavoidable danger,” Legarda concluded. (30)

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Legarda binigyang-diin ang panghabambuhay na adbokasiya sa pagtataguyod ng kapayapaan sa paglagda ng PAMANA MOA

Binigyang-diin ni Senadora Loren Legarda ang kanyang panghabambuhay na adbokasiya sa pagtataguyod ng kapayapaan, kasabay ng paggunita sa kanyang mga dekadang karanasan sa pagmo-moderate sa mga lugar na may alitan, pakikipagnegosasyon para sa pagpapalaya ng mga bihag, at pagsusulong ng mga programang nagtataguyod ng kaunlaran mula sa mga kasunduang pangkapayapaan para sa mga komunidad na matagal nang napagkaitan ng batayang serbisyo.

Inilahad niya ang mensaheng ito bilang Guest of Honor and Speaker sa paglagda ng Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) para sa PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn (PAMANA) Program sa pagitan ng Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) at mga nagpapatupad na lokal na pamahalaan, na ginanap noong Marso 26, 2026 sa Foro de Intramuros.

“Negotiation may stop the gunfire for a time, but only development can prevent it from starting again,” ani Legarda.

Binalikan ni Legarda ang kanyang mga unang misyon sa Sorsogon, Lianga, Marilog, Kalayaan, at Jolo, kung saan isinapanganib niya ang kanyang buhay upang matiyak ang pagpapalaya ng mga pulis, sundalo, at mamamahayag.

“I placed myself in the middle of a crossfire with no script and no certainty about what would happen, focused only on the outcomes that the captives would return home alive, that we could open space for peaceful dialogue, and that I would return safely to my children,” kuwento ni Legarda.

Nakipagtulungan din ang four-term kina yumaong Jesus Varela at Tomas Millamena ng Iglesia Filipina Independiente sa pagpapalaya kay Army Major Noel Buan, at kalaunan ay sa pagpapalaya ng mga mamamahayag na sina Arlyn dela Cruz, Ces Drilon, at Jimmy Encarnacion.

Binigyang-diin niya na ang kapayapaan ay dapat pinatatatag sa pamamagitan ng pagtugon sa kahirapan, kakulangan sa inklusyon, kawalang-katarungan, at kakulangan ng oportunidad.

“We stood firm that we would not validate abduction as a business model. We did not agree to ransom, instead, we committed to bring development assistance to communities long deprived of basic services,” ani Legarda.

Bilang isang propesyonal sa pambansang seguridad na nagtapos bilang top ng kanyang klase sa National Defense College of the Philippines, binigyang-diin ni Legarda na ang seguridad ay tungkol sa pagtiyak ng mga kondisyong pumipigil sa muling pagsiklab ng alitan.

Ang PAMANA Program ang pangunahing programa ng pamahalaan para sa pagsasanib ng kapayapaan at kaunlaran na nakatuon sa mga komunidad na apektado ng alitan at mga liblib na lugar.

Mula 2011, nakapaglaan na ang PAMANA ng mahigit ₱75.8 bilyon na pamumuhunan para sa mga komunidad na apektado ng alitan, kabilang ang mga kalsada, tulay, pabahay, serbisyong pangkalusugan, at mga proyektong pangkabuhayan. Nakasaad sa MOA ang mga kinakailangan sa operasyon, pag-uulat, at post-implementation para sa maayos na pagpapatupad ng mga proyekto, na nagsisiguro ng malinaw na koordinasyon at pananagutan ng mga katuwang na ahensya.

Bilang Chairperson ng Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification, and Reconciliation, at Chair ng Senate Committee on Culture and the Arts, pinagtibay ni Legarda ang ganitong pamamaraan sa pamamagitan ng Senate Bill No. 532 na naglalayong gawing institusyon ang Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Program para sa Bangsamoro, at sa karagdagang ₱850 milyon sa 2026 General Appropriations Act upang palawakin ang Educational Assistance Program ng OPAPRU.

“Through education, we aim to reduce the appeal of violence and expand the horizon of what is possible for the next generation of Filipinos,” ani Legarda.

Tinapos ni Legarda ang kanyang talumpati sa panawagan sa mga lokal na pamahalaan na tiyakin ang inklusibo at transparent na pagpapatupad ng mga proyektong PAMANA.

“Peacebuilding requires the careful rebuilding of trust where none existed and the delicate balancing of principle and pragmatism in the face of real and unavoidable danger,” Legarda concluded. (30)