Manila—As part of this year’s National Peace Consciousness Month, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) hosted the Gawad Kapayapaan (GaKap) Awarding Ceremony on September 30, 2024, to honor individuals and a local government unit (LGU) for their outstanding efforts in promoting peace in the country.
The GaKap awards recognized four honorees for their commitment to peacebuilding: Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, Budget and Management Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman, the Municipality of Kauswagan in Lanao del Norte, and the late Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Founding Chairman Ghazali Jafaar, posthumously awarded on September 24.
In a statement delivered by Assistant Secretary Ria Lumapas on behalf of Special Assistant to the President Secretary Antonio Ernesto F. Lagdameo Jr., the awardees were praised for their “vision, commitment, and action” in advancing peace in the country. Lagdameo emphasized that the honorees embody the values of unity and collaboration in their efforts to foster lasting peace, especially in conflict-affected areas.
Lagdameo particularly highlighted Pangandaman and Ferrer as “beacons” in the growing role of women in peace and security. He also acknowledged the LGU of Kauswagan for its transformative governance, which has successfully reintegrated former MILF leaders into society through its Localized Reintegration Program.
The ceremony underscored the importance of continuing the progress made in the peace process, particularly the efforts to implement normalization agreements under the Inter-Cabinet Cluster Mechanism on Normalization (ICCMN), and affirmed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s commitment to bringing government services closer to marginalized communities.
Champions of Peace
Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, the first GaKap awardee, was recognized for her pioneering role in the peace process as the Government of the Philippines’ chief negotiator for the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB). Her efforts paved the way for a lasting peace agreement with the MILF, an achievement Ferrer described as an inspiration for ongoing peace efforts globally.
In her acceptance speech, Ferrer expressed hope that the CAB’s success will inspire future negotiations, particularly with communist rebel groups, and emphasized the importance of continuing to prioritize peacebuilding in national policies.
Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman, a native of Marawi and a leading figure in Mindanao’s development, was the second GaKap awardee. As co-chair of the Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB), she has spearheaded key initiatives in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), including supporting the Marawi Compensation Board, which is tasked with helping victims of the 2017 Marawi Siege.
Pangandaman dedicated her award to the people of Mindanao, especially the youth, whose futures are being shaped by peacebuilding efforts. She urged continued collaboration to realize a peaceful and prosperous Mindanao, where conflict is replaced by opportunities for growth.
LGU as a Model for Peace
The Municipality of Kauswagan, led by Mayor Rommel C. Arnado, was honored for its innovative peacebuilding strategies. Its “From Arms to Farms” program has helped former MILF and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) combatants transition to civilian life by providing them with sustainable livelihoods through organic farming. This initiative has significantly improved local economic conditions and reduced poverty.
Mayor Arnado dedicated the award to the people of Kauswagan, reflecting on the municipality’s journey from conflict to peace. He stressed the need for sustained efforts in peacebuilding to ensure long-term stability and prosperity for future generations.
Posthumous Recognition for a Peace Advocate
The late Ghazali Jafaar, former MILF chair and a key player in the peace talks, was posthumously recognized for his contributions to ending decades of armed conflict in Mindanao. His leadership during peace negotiations, including the signing of the CAB, played a crucial role in advancing the peace process between the government and the MILF.
Jafaar’s legacy serves as a reminder of the power of dialogue in resolving conflict and the importance of pursuing peace with dignity and justice for all.
A Collective Pursuit for Peace
Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Carlito G. Galvez Jr., in his closing remarks, stressed that the pursuit of peace requires the collective effort of all stakeholders. He praised the awardees for their unwavering commitment to promoting peace and urged continued cooperation to ensure the success of peacebuilding programs in the country.
Galvez also highlighted the role of women in peacebuilding, noting the contributions of Ferrer and Pangandaman as symbols of the essential role women play in advancing national peace efforts.
The ceremony concluded with a call to action, emphasizing that the pursuit of peace must be inclusive and sustained to ensure a lasting legacy for future generations.
