PASIG CITY – In a significant step toward advancing peace and sustainable development, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) and agribusiness firm Kennemer Group signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Tuesday, April 22. The agreement seeks to transform former conflict-affected areas into thriving agricultural hubs by empowering former combatants, Indigenous Peoples (IPs), and other marginalized groups.
The MOU outlines a comprehensive partnership that leverages agriculture and climate solutions to build economic resilience. Through capacity-building programs, access to markets, and financial support, the initiative aims to create livelihood opportunities and prevent the resurgence of conflict.
Bridging Peace and Enterprise
Jonathan Joson, Country Manager of the Kennemer Group, stressed the importance of economic stability in maintaining peace in areas once plagued by armed conflict, such as North Cotabato, Davao Oriental, and South Cotabato.
“Fifteen years ago, it was different. We couldn’t normally go to these areas, especially in Cotabato. It’s very different now,” Joson said. He emphasized that sustainable enterprise is crucial in ensuring that peace efforts are not reversed.
Kennemer, established in the early 2000s, integrates smallholder farmers into its sustainable supply chains. The company provides technical expertise, financial support, and access to global markets with a mission of promoting rural development and environmental stewardship.
Farming as a Peace Tool
Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Cheryl Marie N. Caballero lauded the initiative for using agriculture as a tool for peace and community resilience.
“Farming and agricultural development offer pathways to sustainable livelihoods, food security, and social cohesion,” Caballero said. She highlighted the program’s focus on inclusive agriculture, rural finance, and sustainable forest management, particularly in IP communities.
“These interventions allow vulnerable groups to move beyond immediate humanitarian aid, protect their natural resources, and regain their dignity,” she added.
A Whole-of-Society Approach
Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. described the partnership as a milestone for OPAPRU, noting it as the agency’s first commercial enterprise agreement under its convergence framework.
“This MOU is expected to have a significant impact on the lives of our beneficiaries, especially among small farmers and Indigenous Peoples’ communities,” Galvez said. “The peace has arrived, and former combatants and their families will now participate in robust trade and commerce as active participants in the economy.”
He emphasized that the initiative not only supports localized development and biodiversity conservation, but also encourages public and private sector investments in vulnerable areas.
Forging Synergy for Development
Kennemer Group CEO Simon Bakker called the MOU a milestone in fostering stronger public-private collaboration in rural development.
“This MOU is especially meaningful for us, as it highlights how both the public and private sectors are addressing the same challenges—poverty, land tenure, and environmental degradation,” Bakker said. “If these issues remain unresolved, we cannot establish lasting peace. And without peace, we cannot create real economic opportunities.”
As the partnership moves forward, both OPAPRU and Kennemer Group reaffirm their commitment to inclusive and sustainable development that uplifts communities and secures a peaceful future for all.