SGA in BARMM, Philippines, Successively Adopts Resolutions Supporting DPCW… Expanding Peace Governance

 

Local government resolutions supporting HWPL and the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW) are being successively adopted in the Special Geographic Area (SGA) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Philippines, expanding community-centered peace governance.

 

 

Following the official adoption of Resolution No. 40, Series of 2025 by the Municipality of Kapalawan on October 27 last year, the Municipal Government of Kadayangan also passed Municipal Resolution No. 2025-045, Series of 2025 during the 10th Regular Session of the Second Sangguniang Bayan on December 1. Both municipal governments officially expressed their commitment to promoting peace based on law, education, dialogue, and cooperation, and to spreading a culture of mutual understanding and non-violence.

These achievements are the fruits of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed on July 31, 2025, between HWPL and the Schools Division of SGA under the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE-BARMM). Following the agreement, peace education began in earnest across 116 schools under the leadership of Superintendent Edgar Sumapal, and the peace education program is spreading throughout the region with the support of Dr. Ali Zumbaga, the Peace Education Focal Person of SGA.

Dr. Ali Zumbaga emphasized, “Peace must be built on law and cooperation,” adding, “Institutional frameworks and community cooperation are essential to preventing conflict and realizing sustainable peace.”

 

 

Hon. Datu Prince Salman Karon, Chair of the Committee on Education, Culture and Heritage, who sponsored the resolution of the Municipal Government of Kadayangan, stressed, “We must further strengthen peacebuilding efforts and community cooperation for the harmonious development of the local community.” Members of the Sangguniang Bayan also expressed their active support for expanding peaceful coexistence and collaboration at both local and global levels.

Furthermore, Dr. Musa Damao, Executive Director of the Bangsamoro Dialogue for Peace and Justice Inc., stated, “Peace and order must remain our highest priority. The Bangsamoro region, which has experienced a long history of conflict, must build a stable and united future through cooperation and dialogue.”

The two adopted resolutions contain a strong determination to actively reflect the values of peace in local administration, education, and community development, and to practice the international peace principles presented by the DPCW at the local level. In particular, the Municipalities of Kapalawan and Kadayangan are evaluated to have laid the institutional foundation for conflict resolution and social integration through dialogue by participating in international peace activities.

The background of this achievement was also largely attributed to the roles of the SGA delegation, district leaders, and local government officials who previously attended the HWPL Peace Summit held in South Korea. By attending the Peace Summit, they deepened their understanding of HWPL’s international peace activities and strengthened their commitment to promoting practical peace policies at the community level.

HWPL extended its deep gratitude to all stakeholders, including the Municipalities of Kapalawan and Kadayangan, the Schools Division of SGA, MBHTE-BARMM, Superintendent Edgar Sumapal, Dr. Ali Zumbaga, Hon. Datu Prince Salman Karon, Dr. Musa Damao, district leaders, and members of the Sangguniang Bayan, who cooperated for the adoption of the resolutions.

The adoption of resolutions by the local governments in the Philippines is an exemplary case where a cooperation model built together by local governments, educational institutions, and communities through peace education led to practical policy outcomes. It is expected to become a new milestone in spreading a sustainable culture of peace beyond the BARMM region and into the international community.