The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (Opapru) has unveiled a major initiative to strengthen peacebuilding efforts in Mindanao. The agency announced plans to establish Peace and Development Centers (PDCs) across the Davao Region, with the rollout set to begin in 2026.
Strategic Partnerships for Sustained Peace
This project will be implemented through strategic collaborations with Provincial Local Government Units (PLGUs). Mart Sambalud, Opapru’s Deputy Head of Area Management Unit 11, highlighted the critical role of local governments. "LGUs have a big role to sustain the peace that we have enjoyed for three years," Sambalud emphasized. The core objective is to create a centralized mechanism that sustains recent peace gains and serves as a hub for programs aiding former rebels, officially referred to as "Friends Rescued" (FRs).
To fund this initiative, Opapru will allocate P17 million for the operationalization of each center. Sambalud clarified that the PDCs are not intended to be new physical structures. Instead, they will function as coordinating mechanisms, similar to the successful Peace 911 program in Davao City. These centers are designed to integrate comprehensive transformation plans for FRs, their families, and their communities.
Building on Existing Models and Collaboration
The plan has already received formal backing. During the third quarter council meeting of the Joint Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (JRTF-Elcac) 11, Secretary Leo Tereso Magno approved a resolution adopting these transformation plans, which include the PDC establishment.
Opapru will also partner with civil society organizations, including Kalinaw Southeastern Mindanao. Sambalud stressed the importance of this collaboration, noting it is vital to listen to their sentiments and strategic directions on cooperating with the government to sustain peace. The agency is building on proven models, as similar centers have been successfully piloted in the Caraga Region, including the Kalinow Peace Center in Agusan del Sur and the Hamugaway Peace Center in Surigao del Sur.
Empowering Communities and Ensuring Support
The primary motivation behind the PDCs is to ensure that all national programs and services intended for former rebels effectively reach the grassroots level. "From our end, we think we need to establish PDCs because we want to ensure that all efforts, programs, and services intended for the former rebels will reach the local level," Sambalud explained. The initiative ultimately seeks to empower LGUs as proactive and leading partners in maintaining lasting peace in the Davao Region.
The move has been welcomed by peace advocates on the ground. Ida Marie Montero-Lubguban, President of Kalinaw Southeastern Mindanao Region, expressed her support, stating she was personally happy about the development. Having worked closely with communities, she observed a persistent need for assistance, particularly in livelihood opportunities. She expressed hope that the centers would provide former rebels with access to essential training and livelihood programs, thereby strengthening their reintegration into peaceful society.
