Re-Shaping Marawi ‘Peace by Piece’

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) formally launched here yesterday its Social Healing and Peacebuilding Program (SHAPE) that will primarily benefit the residents of Marawi City.

The SHAPE Program’s main objectives are to enhance social cohesion, promote the concept of peace-building, and contribute to the improvement of the overall peace and security environment in the country’s only Islamic city.

In his remarks during the program’s launch, Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza underscored the need for stakeholders to work together in repairing the social fabric that was torn during the five-month siege last year.

Dureza said OPAPP’s social healing initiatives in Marawi are designed to help the victims of the conflict recover by providing them a venue to express their anger, fears, and frustrations.

“In situations of conflict, people need to release their anger. If this can’t be done, the healing will take longer,” he said.

Dureza said there are still a lot of challenges that need to be addressed in the rehabilitation of Marawi.

“There is still a lot of work ahead of us. There are processes we need to follow,” he said.

Dureza stressed the people of Marawi should take ownership of the support programs implemented in the city, saying this will be the key to their recovery.

“You have to help yourselves. But first, you have to find peace among yourselves,” he said.

At the same event, Titon Mitra, country director of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), lauded the positive attitude of the Maranao people.

“The Maranao spirit binds all of you,” he said.

He said the rehabilitation efforts to be carried out in the city should be based on the recommendations of the people themselves and not rely on the views of outsiders.

“You want programs that reflect your priorities,” he said.

Echoing Dureza’s observation that the reconstruction of Marawi will not be easy, Mitra threw his organization’s full support behind the city’s rehabilitation.

“All of us will do what we can to help you,” he said.

For his part, Task Force Bangon Marawi Field Office Manager and Housing Assistant Secretary Felix Castro said the psycho-social well-being of residents should be given equal attention by development planners.

“These programs will have a big impact on the rehabilitation of Marawi,” he said.

He then encouraged the people of Marawi to “find peace among themselves.”

“If we instill peace among ourselves, we will achieve our goals,” he said.

Meanwhile, OPAPP Assistant Secretary Rolando Asuncion highlighted the major components of SHAPE, which include Mainstreaming of Conflict Sensitivity Approaches in Local Development Planning (BUILDPEACE), Welfare Assistance to Vulnerable Entities or (WAVE), and College Educational Assistance Program (CEAP). (OPAPP)