Bohol to reactivate peace forum

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines – Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto yesterday announced that he will revive the Bohol Local Peace Forum, with Tagbilaran Bishop, Msgr. Leonardo Medroso, as chairman and the participation of Msgr. Vincent Noel, bishop of the Talibon diocese.

The announcement was made during the monthly meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC), the date of which was also the governor’s 52nd birthday.

Chatto, who chairs the PPOC, said Medroso “is more than willing to accept the job.”

The PPOC meeting mainly tackled the report of Provincial Police director Constantino Barot and Col. John Bonafos of the AFP’s 802nd Infantry Brigade about the peace and order situation in the province.

Medroso told the meeting that the Peace Forum will try to hear on complaints and suggestions that might be elevated to the council for action and solutions.

The governor is now expected to issue a formal order reviving the Peace Forum, although it was not clear yet if he will co-chair the body with Medroso.

Members of the forum would be from the Provincial Board, League of Municipalities of the Philippines-Bohol chapter, the media, academe, business, non-government organizations and other sectors.

Functions of the forum would include the conduct of local dialogues and problem-solving sessions, initiate or conduct workshops to enhance people’s awareness, identify causes of insurgency, or implement identified areas of reforms for poverty reduction, and other.

Representative Erico Aumentado (2nd dist., Bohol), during his term as governor, issued Executive Order 14 on Sept. 3, 2007, re-organizing the Bohol Local Peace Forum with the contention that “civil society is instrumental in peacekeeping and the peace process by institutionalizing people’s participation.” (FREEMAN)