The ACT for Peace Programme has provided over P20 million worth of social interventions in 20 priority barangays in the Caraga region to strengthen the government’s peace building efforts and sustain the gains for peace and development in southern Philippines, according to Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Jesus Dureza.

In his report to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Dureza said the peace interventions benefited 8,963 households in 20 barangays in the four provinces comprising the Caraga region – Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Sur and Surigao del Norte.

Dureza, who is also the director of the ACT for Peace Programme,  said the completed and ongoing projects include the establishment of Botika ng Barangays, health and peace centers, post-harvest facilities, potable water and irrigation facilities, and other livelihood programs.

Dureza said these projects are under the ACT for Peace Programme managed by the Philippine government and the United Nations with direct support from the government of New Zealand.

The Act for Peace Programme seeks to strengthen peace-building efforts to sustain peace and development in southern Philippines by working with multiple stakeholders to promote peace initiatives at different levels. It also assists Local Government Units (LGUs) and other partners to enhance their conflict transformation capacities.

The ACT for Peace Programme is consistent with the 2004-2010 Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan and the 10-point Agenda of the National Government.

The Programme commenced in June 2005 and is expected to operate until May 2010.

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The President has ordered the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) to maintain a tight watch over the implementation of grassroots projects to fight poverty. She said every department must submit to NAPC a concrete plan on how to cascade the gains of the economy to the marginalized sectors.

"Let us open the doors to public dialogue on how best to fight poverty and bring our nation closer together," the President said. She explained that  her administration would like to hear specific suggestions and creative ideas from the people on how a reinvigorated partnership for growth can come about between the government and the citizenry.

"Let us reinvigorate our democracy through broad and open nonpartisan public discourse on a national agenda for growth and development. I am ordering NAPC to take the lead in going to the grassroots and serving as a receptacle for new strategies and ideas to defeat poverty," the President  said. 

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Determined to lick poverty and ensure that the gains of the growing economy cascade to the marginalized sectors, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) to take the lead in going to the grassroots and “serve as a receptacle for new strategies to defeat poverty.”

In a statement, Press Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye said the President directed the NAPC headed by Secretary Domingo Panganiban to keep a tight watch over the implementation of grassroots projects and consolidate plans from government agencies on how best to defeat poverty.

“Let us open the doors to public dialogue on how best to fight poverty and bring our nation closer together,” Bunye quoted the President as saying as the nation commemorated All Saints’ Day Wednesday.

The President, according to him, would like to hear specific suggestions and creative ideas from the people on how a reinvigorated partnership for growth between the government and the citizenry could be achieved.

She also called for broad and non-partisan public discourse on a national agenda for growth and development to reinvigorate the country’s democracy, Bunye said.

Despite the gains made by the Arroyo administration’s tough fiscal reforms, poverty remains a formidable hurdle, although NAPC Assistant Secretary Dolores Castillo said the country's financial stability, plus a combination of government social services, including subsidies for food and medicines, have helped reduce the incidence of extreme poverty in the country.

Last month, thousands of Filipinos joined an international campaign to end global poverty by making a symbolic rejection of  excuses for the poverty-related death of 50,000 people every day throughout the world, and the growing gap between rich and poor.

The "Stand Up, Speak Out" pledge was part of the United Nations campaign to promote the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) that include eradicating extreme poverty, hunger and achieving universal primary

"We would like to be one with the others in commemorating our fight against poverty," Social Welfare Secretary Esperanza Cabral said.” It is a gesture that we recognize our effort to fight poverty.”

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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo led the nation Wednesday in the observance of All Saints Day as thousands of Filipinos nationwide trooped to cemeteries to spend the day in remembrance of their departed loved ones.

The President, accompanied by First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo and other members of the First Family, arrived at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City shortly before 4 p.m. for the concelebrated Mass officiated by Bishop Pedro Dean, archbishop emeritus of Palo, Leyte.

The remains of the President’s parents, former President Diosdado Macapagal and Dona Evangelina Macapagal, are interred at the Libingan nga mga Bayani.

Among those present at the Holy Mass sponsored by the First Family were Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Presidential Management Staff (PMS) Director General Cerge Remonde, Sen. Bong Revilla and other government officials, top military leaders and relatives of the President and the First Gentleman.

During the Holy Mass, the President lighted a candle in silent tribute to the unknown soldiers who offered their lives in the service of the country.

After the Mass, the President, the First Gentleman and other members of the First Family visited the tombs of her parents.

Earlier in the morning, the President prayed at the tomb of the First Gentleman’s parents at the Manila North Cemetery and the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City.

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