Gov't taps ex-rebel people's orgs for El Niño preps
With a strong El Niño expected to hit the country in the latter part of the year, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) on Friday announced that it has initiated an inter-agency coordination with former rebels (FRs) and FR-led People's Organizations (POs) to help in mitigating its impact on farming communities in Mindanao.
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The OPAPRU's efforts consisted of integrating FRs and FR-led POs into the government's disaster and climate response framework in the region. This was initiated by the OPAPRU's Local Conflict Transformation - Field Implementation Support Unit in Mindanao (LCT-FISU Mindanao), a unit under the CPP-NPA-NDF Peace Process Office (CPPO), through a coordination meeting on May 19 via Zoom video teleconference.
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“OPAPRU remains committed to strengthening preparedness mechanisms and coordinating closely with our local government units and partners in the regional and provincial levels to cushion the impact of the dry spell, particularly on our former rebels, their families, and their People’s Organizations engaged in farming,” the OPAPRU chief said.
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The OPAPRU further highlighted the importance of drawing lessons from previous climate-related crises, particularly the Kidapawan experience in 2016, which exposed the severe social and humanitarian consequences that may arise when prolonged dry conditions, food insecurity, and inadequate institutional coordination converge in vulnerable farming communities.
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