MANILA: The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. announced on Wednesday a commitment to sustain and advance the government’s peace agenda in 2025, aiming to achieve a just and lasting peace across the Philippines.

According to Philippines News Agency, Galvez highlighted that 2024 marked significant achievements for the peace body and the Comprehensive Philippine Peace Process. Key accomplishments included promoting the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda, improving the lives of former rebels, and showcasing peace process gains to the international community. These efforts reflect a collective commitment to ensure peace for all Filipinos.

Major milestones in 2024 encompassed the 10th Anniversary of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro and the effective implementation of the Small Arms and Light Weapons Management (SALW) Program. The peace body also commemorated the 29th Anniversary of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and its Transformation Program, constructed Northern Luzon’s first Peace and Development Center in Baguio City, and made significant progress under the Localized Peace Engagements (LPE) and the Transformation Program for former Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) members. Additionally, the accelerated implementation of the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) program and the successful conduct of the first International Conference on Women, Peace, and Security (ICWPS) in the Philippines were noted as significant achievements.

Galvez expressed gratitude to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., peace stakeholders, and the Filipino people for their support in these initiatives. Looking ahead to 2025, Galvez acknowledged the challenges that lie ahead but assured that OPAPRU is prepared to address these issues as they continue to pursue new paths in the peace process.