PEÑABLANCA, CAGAYAN – During its 1^st Quarter CY 2021 meeting, the Cagayan Peace and Order Council (POC) unanimously agreed to create a Peace Negotiation Panel. Under EO No. 70, LGUs were tasked to establish a mechanism for local peace engagement, negotiation, or intervention that is nationally orchestrated, directed, and supervised while being locally implemented. As emphasized in the operational manual of Task Force ELCAC, the conduct of local peace engagements is essential in conflict-affected and conflict-vulnerable communities through community consultations and problem-solving sessions, as well as through local peace dialogues with Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs).

The Cagayan Provincial Peace Negotiation Panel shall effectively address socio-economic divides, create modalities and strengthen capacities of communities to resist violence and participate in peace building and development in order to achieve community resiliency and cultural harmony. It shall contribute towards institutionalizing a platform in changing the mindset and for genuine good governance to improve the lives and welfare of the people.

The functions of the panel include coordination with the RTF-ELCAC through the CORDS regarding the Communist Terrorist Groups and government’s common talking points, holding local-level dialogues to discuss and agree on a joint local-level peace agreement, and implement those agreements. (SOURCE: LGOO II RENZ ANGELO P. UMAMBONG)