To the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), led by Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr.;
Fellow public servants from the National Government and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM);
Distinguished guests and advocates of peace, most especially our Gawad Kapayapaan awardees;
Good afternoon! Isang mapayapang hapon po sa ating lahat!
Assalamu alaikum wa Raḥmatullahi wa Barakatuh.
First of all, I would like to congratulate OPAPRU for the resounding success of the 21st National Peace Consciousness Month celebration. From the ringing of the peace bell and commemorating peace accords to organizing peace caravans and fairs, you have truly brought to life the spirit of meaningful dialogue and collective action that defines our nation’s journey toward lasting peace and progress.
Peace and prosperity: A lived reality
This year’s theme, “Mapayapang Bukas, Abot-Kamay sa Bagong Pilipinas,” underscores our commitment to making genuine peace a lived reality for all Filipinos, including future generations.
I am proud to reaffirm that since the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. took office, we have witnessed significant progress in the country’s peace and development, as reflected in the enhanced quality of life of our communities and our improved standing in the Global Peace Index (GPI)1.
According to the 2025 report of the world’s leading measure of global peacefulness, the Philippines climbed six spots to 105th out of 163 countries, marking the country’s best ranking in eight years. This also shows how far we have come since placing 125th in 2022—reflecting improvements in peace levels across societal safety and security, the resolution of domestic and international conflicts, and the degree of militarization.
As a proud daughter of Mindanao, I have always strived to ensure that the collective voice of our people is heard in shaping our peace and development agenda. And so, I am deeply grateful to be entrusted with multiple roles in public service: as your Budget Secretary, as Co-Chairperson of the Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB), and now, as a 2024 Gawad Kapayapaan Awardee. Each of these roles has given me the honor and responsibility of advancing our shared dream of a peaceful and prosperous nation.
Following PBBM’s directive to fast-track the rehabilitation of Marawi, I personally visited the city in July, together with five other Cabinet secretaries, to meet with BARMM ministers and sign various MOAs and MOUs that will pave the way for the construction, repair, and turnover of vital facilities essential to the city’s recovery. We also turned over 41 ambulances from the Department of Health (DOH) to strengthen Marawi City’s emergency medical service capabilities.
And earlier this month, during our 23rd IGRB meeting, the National and Bangsamoro governments discussed matters crucial to sustaining peace in the country: the accomplishments of the seven IGR mechanisms and Sulu’s transition from BARMM to Region IX, among others.
On top of this, we have also signed the MOA on the administration and management of the Hajj Mission for 2026 and beyond—a testament to our commitment to upholding peace, faith, and development.
BARMM as a priority in the Agenda for Prosperity
Moreover, we are also supporting the entire country's peace and development through significant budget allocations. Under the proposed Php 6.793 trillion National Budget for FY 2026, we have allocated Php 7.28 billion for OPAPRU to support them in continuously managing, integrating, and supervising the implementation of the country’s Comprehensive Peace Process.
Meanwhile, we have provided some Php 6.34 billion for the PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn (PAMANA) Peace and Security Convergence Program. This amount will be distributed to OPAPRU, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), PhilHealth, and National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) to implement various socio-economic and development interventions in conflict-affected and conflict-vulnerable areas.
I am happy to share that just this May, we have approved the release of the Special Allotment Release Order or SARO, amounting to over Php 1.4 billion2, for the implementation and monitoring of the PAMANA Program as mandated by the FY 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA). This ensures the timely delivery of services that are essential to ensuring human security in the region.
Additionally, Php 918 million will be provided for the Normalization Program in Bangsamoro in 2026 to facilitate the peaceful and inclusive reintegration of former combatants into the mainstream society.
As mandated by the Bangsamoro Organic Law, BARMM will be appropriated with Php 93.98 billion3 for its Annual Block Grant; Php 5.0 billion for its Special Development Fund for the rebuilding, rehabilitation, and development of the conflict-affected communities; and some Php 5.6 billion for its share in taxes, fees, and charges collected in the region.
Through these budget allocations, we are fulfilling our promise of creating conditions and an environment necessary for peace to thrive. However, sustaining peace requires more than resources—it also calls for meaningful participation of women and dialogue among all sectors of our society.
Women, Peace, and Security
And so, I am honored to work alongside empowered women and advocates to advance the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Agenda by harnessing the power of dialogue as a pathway to peace. Last year, we marked a historic milestone by hosting the first-ever International Conference on WPS, which led to groundbreaking initiatives, including the adoption of the Pasay Declaration and the establishment of the WPS Center of Excellence.
This year, I am thrilled to invite you to the National Conference on WPS this October! Recognizing the transformative impact of regional collaboration to uphold the WPS Agenda, I believe it is now time to bring that momentum closer to home by anchoring the WPS localization within the framework of open governance principles. Because, as we all know, peace is most accessible when it is rooted in transparency, inclusivity, and shared responsibility.
Philippines: A shining example of peace in the world
As we nurture peace within our borders, we are equally committed to making the Philippines a shining example of peace and good governance globally. Just recently, we engaged with the United Arab Emirates through the Government Experience Exchange Forum to share best practices and co-create impactful government initiatives that promote excellence and competitiveness in public service.
Building on this momentum, we are now preparing for the hosting of the 48th ASEAN Summit—the country's largest international event for 2026. We will take this opportunity to foster deeper dialogue and cooperation among Southeast Asian nations and advance peace and prosperity across the region.
Indeed, the peace we celebrate today is just the beginning. It is a golden spark—one that we must nurture and protect so it continues to shine as a guiding light not just today, but for the generations to come.
Nawa’y hindi magtapos dito ang ating selebrasyon at maging simula ito ng mas aktibong partisipasyon ng bawat isa upang higit na mapangalagaan at mapagyaman pa ang ating kapayapaan.
Sama-sama nating isulong ang Bagong Pilipinas—isang bayan kung saan ang kapayapaan ay bunga ng sapat na suporta at pondo, bukas na dayalogo, at matibay na pagkakaisa ng bawat Pilipino.
Maraming salamat po. Mabuhay ang isang mapayapang Bagong Pilipinas!
Wabillahi Tawfiq Wal Hidaya, Wasalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu.
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