Agusan Norte’s peace efforts earn national recognition
By Nora L. Molde
BUTUAN CITY — The province of Agusan del Norte, under the leadership of Governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante, has been recognized at the national level for its remarkable strides in sustaining peace and inclusive development through the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PaMaNa) Program of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU).
Central to the recognition are the province’s major accomplishments in 2024, including the completion of P317 million worth of farm-to-market road projects under PaMaNa Phase 1. Three projects were finished in November 2024, while the last was completed in May 2025, transforming not just landscapes, but lives in remote and conflict-affected communities.
Governor Amante said, “These roads are more than just infrastructures; they are pathways to peace and progress.”
Complementing these efforts are Agusan del Norte’s reintegration and peace-building programs. Through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), 643 former rebels have benefited from assistance packages, while the province’s Kagawasan 143 Peace Center continues to provide shelter, subsistence, health, housing, and livelihood support to 135 returnees.
In addition, 156 individuals have been assisted with their amnesty applications as of July 2025, each life redirected towards peace.
Because of these transformative initiatives, Agusan del Norte received a Plaque of Recognition from OPAPRU for its exemplary PaMaNa project implementation in fiscal year 2024.
Amante, acknowledged as an outstanding implementer of the peace efforts of the government, reaffirmed her commitment to the province’s AKSYON Agenda 2026–2028 and emphasized that peace cannot be won solely through arms, but through roads, homes, trust, and opportunities.
The AKSYON Agenda of the province stands for A- Advancing Social and Health Services; K – Key Programs on Dynamic and Responsive Governance; S – Sustainable Economic Growth; Y – Youth, Women, IPs, and People Empowerment; O – Open and Inclusive Peace and Order Programs; and N – Nature Protection, Environmental Management and Risk Resiliency.
Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. lauded Agusan del Norte as a model LGU for other provinces nationwide. He underscored that PaMaNa is vital to fostering stability by bringing infrastructure, livelihood projects, and social services to underserved and conflict-vulnerable areas.
As a testament to continued collaboration, Amante together with Gov. Santiago Cane Jr. of Agusan del Sur signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Sec. Galvez for the rollout of new infrastructure and livelihood projects in the Agusan provinces under the PaMaNa Program.
She highlighted the province’s multi-stakeholder approach through the Interlocal Agency Partnership (ILAP), where OPAPRU provides funding, the Armed Forces of the Philippines delivers skilled labor and security support, while LGUs and partner agencies contribute expertise and local resources. This, she emphasized, is the whole-of-nation approach in action, a model that strengthens communities by rebuilding not only structures, but lives.
“In Agusan del Norte, we hold close to our hearts the wisdom that the greatest victory is the one won without battle,” Amante said. “Our triumphs are measured not by conflict, but by the roads we open, the homes we build, the trust we nurture, and the opportunities we create.” (NCLM, PIA Agusan del Norte)
Agusan del Norte Governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante, together with Engineer Renato Corvera of the Provincial Engineering Office, Engineer Luisito Azura of the Provincial General Services Office, and Engineer Charyll D. Rosario of the Provincial Planning and Development Office, received national recognition for the province’s exemplary implementation of the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PaMaNa) Program, a flagship initiative of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) on August 22, 2025. (Photo courtesy of the province of Agusan del Norte)
