Abaya acknowledges Celso’s desire for genuine consultation
Mayor Celso Lobregat leads representatives from the cross-section of the city including members of the City Council in attending the "MIndanao Dialogue" initiated by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process relative to the ongoing peace talks at a local hotel Tuesday. (JOEY BAUTISTA)
The office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) has acknowledged Mayor Celso Lobregat’s desire for a true, genuine and meaningful public consultation on the peace talks issue that would involve all stakeholders and all sectors of the society.
OPAPP Secretary Anabelle Abaya who spearheaded the conduct of the Malacanang-initiated reflective dialogue in Zamboanga yesterday said the government employing all means possible to hear the views of all concerned relative to the ongoing peace talks between the government and the secessionist group.
“Gusto ko pong pasalamatan si Mayor Celso Lobregat. Ang laki po ng admiration ko sa kanya kasi po siya ay napakapassionate sa kanyang paniniwala, maganda po yong gano’n lahat po tayo ay may paninindigan,” the secretary said as she thanked the mayor for helping the OPAPP organize the dialogue yesterday.
According to Sec. Abaya, the reflective dialogues being held in Mindanao are meant to ensure massive participation of all concerned in the peace process.
The dialogue and consultation held in the city yesterday was a result of a request of Mayor Celso Lobregat for the national government to conduct another peace consultation following the supposed consultation last Dec. 15-16.
Lobregat has stressed that “one of the crucial foundations for any peace process is that it should be based on true, genuine and meaningful public consultations not only with local government officials but also with the stakeholders and all sectors of the society, to include the indigenous cultural communities, religious leaders, academe, non-government organizations, the business communities, social and civic organizations, youth and the like.”
The mayor strongly opposed the supposed consultation in the city from Dec. 15-16 intended for city and municipal mayors in Region 9 due to very short notice, lack of coordination with panel members and other observations.
In response to Lobregat’s formal letter of protest, the OPAPP assured Lobregat the conduct of a meaningful and credible consultation concerning the peace process in the city in 2010, as she expressed regrets over the failure of the Dec. 15-16 activity in the city.
In an electronic mail sent to Mayor Lobregat on December 29, 2009, OPAPP Secretary Annabelle Abaya said she will be pleased to provide OPAPP’s resources in conducting the consultation that the Zamboanga chief executive intends to sponsor next month.
The reflective dialogue yesterday was attended by different sectors in the city including other areas in Region 9 and was facilitated by the OPAPP with assistance from the Ateneo de Zamboanga University. (Sheila Covarrubias)