Solons Push For Creation Of Department Of Peace

Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel, of the Akbayan party-list group, (left), discusses with Deputy Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Undersecretary Nabil Tan (center) and Rep. Hussin Amin of Sulu, (right), some points on her authored House Bill 5767 and other matters related to the creation of a Cabinet-level Department of Peace in one of an ongoing series of joint hearings of the Special House Committee on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity and the Committee on Government Reorganization. (Jason Carlos)

MANILA (Jason Carlos / 11 Oct) – Crossing party lines, administration and opposition lawmakers are now together pushing for the passage of a bill before the House of Representatives to institutionalize a national policy framework for a just and lasting peace throughout the Philippines and at the same time set up a Department of Peace.

Sulu 1st-district Representative Hussin Amin, of the Lakas party, and Zamboanga del Sur 2nd-district Representative Antonio Cerilles, of the National People’s Coalition, have called for the creation of a technical working group composed mostly of national line agencies to polish the mechanisms for such a Peace Department in the country.

“I like this proposal for creating a department instead of a commission as it would have more leverage in Cabinet policies and decision-making in the executive in the pursuit of peace,” Amin said as chair of the Special House Committee on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity during a recent joint congressional hearing with the House Committee on Government Reorganization on the said bill.

Akbayan party-list Representative Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel has authored a House bill together with fellow Akbayan representatives Mario Aguja and Etta Rosales calling for the legislation of a national peace policy framework and create a National Peace Commission, as well as provide funds for such a government body.

HB No. 5767, or the proposed “National Peace Act of 2006,” aims to promote a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace process pursued with the participation and cooperation of non-government and civil society groups such as the church, media, business, academe, and private sectors.

According to Baraquel, the bill aims to support a national peace policy direction for the successful conclusion of peace talks and implementation of peace accords, as well as for the mainstreaming of rebel groups through an enhanced amnesty, reintegration, and reconciliation program.

The national peace policy as proposed in the bill aims to rehabilitate, develop, and heal conflict-affected areas as well as strengthen the people especially women and children and their participation in the peace process on the ground, Baraquel said.

Batanes lone-district Representative Henedina Abad of the Liberal Party meanwhile expressed support for the establishment of a Department of Peace which would have more powers in policy-making decisions in the Cabinet instead of a Commission on Peace.

“There is a need to ensure a focused, determined, and passionate quest for peace through a government structure or mechanism which would hopefully empower the people in ensuring that they attain a secure and progressive life,“ Abad said as vice-chair of the Committee on Government Reorganization during the joint hearing with the Committee on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity.

Baraquel likewise said the proposed National Peace Act would strengthen the constitutional mandate of the state to renounce war as an instrument of national policy.

“The pro-peace policy of the state would adopt the generally accepted principles of international doctrines to be part of local laws of the land and adhere to a national policy of peace, equality, justice, freedom, cooperation, and amity with all nations,” Baraquel added.

Such adherence would include the nation’s commitments through the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Violence Against Women, the International Humanitarian Law, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child as established in the United Nations, she said.(With news from the Office of the Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza)