PHILIPPINES: Government Localizes National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security

The government has kicked off efforts of Localizing the National Action Plan (LNAP) on Women, Peace and Security in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Recently, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) and the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) conducted an orientation among members of the Regional Sub-Committee on Gender and Development (RSCGD) of ARMM at the Al Nor Hotel in this district.

The orientation aimed to familiarize the participants on the Philippine NAP, gender mainstreaming strategy of the government, and relevance of the LNAP in ARMM, among others.

Present were ARMM Vice Governor Bainon Karon, OPAPP Undersecretary Gettie Sandoval, and OPAPP Assistant Sec. Jehanne Mutin. PCW Chair Remedios Rikken was represented by Marian Delgado.

The NAP is the Philippine government's response to the United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs) 1325 and 1820. UNSCR 1325, in particular, is a landmark resolution that acknowledges women's capacity to make decisions on women, peace and security issues. On the other hand, UNSCR 1820 recognizes sexual violence as a tactic of war and a possible war crime. It breaks the taboo and silence of victims by pushing for women's active participation in developing and implementing programs that address sexual violence.

As a member state of the UN, the Philippines is mandated to implement the two resolutions through the NAP.

The NAP aims to protect women's rights and prevent violations to it; empower women for their active and meaningful participation; promote and mainstream gender perspective in all aspects; and institutionalize a system to monitor, evaluate and report on its implementation.

“Hindi ito parang declaration lang. Ito ay mga konkretong plano dapat; ‘yung mayroon kang makikitang resulta (This isn't like a declaration only. These are concrete plans supposedly; plans that will yield results),” explained Sandoval. “Hindi ito plano na itatago mo lang sa kabinet mo at bubulukin mo lang ‘dun (This is not a plan that you will keep in your cabinet and leave to rot)”.

The LNAP will ensure that the nationally implemented program will reach the grassroots especially the conflict-affected areas. It was designed to contribute to attaining positive breakthroughs in the peace negotiations and open avenues for the women in ARMM to contribute to achieving lasting peace in Mindanao.

Speaking on the NAP Localization Project flow, Mutin emphasized that LNAP is a complementary track in achieving lasting peace.

To be funded by the local government, the LNAP will be implemented in all areas covered by PAMANA or Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (Peaceful and Resilient Communities), which is the government's program and framework for peace and development. It will be piloted in ARMM provinces.

The LNAP shall undertake three phases in its implementation: Phase 1- Social Preparation Stage, where the National Steering Committee on Women, Peace and Security (NSCWPS) will explain LNAP and its necessity; Phase 2- Planning and Capacity Building of the RSCGD, identification of programs and projects, financial source and budget plan; and Phase 3- Program Implementation and Monitoring.

It shall be expected to launch by the end of June after undergoing Phase 2.

OPAPP and PCW both co-chair the NSCWPS that is mandated by virtue of Executive Order 865 to oversee the implementation of the NAP.