On March 26, 2026, the ProPEACE PH Project was officially launched at Greenleaf Hotel in General Santos City. The event gathered representatives from various government agencies, partner stakeholders, civil society organizations, and members of the consortium, including all sub-recipient (SRs).
The ProPEACE PH Project is a 3-year peacebuilding and resilience initiative designed to strengthen at-risk communities in South Cotabato and Sarangani, and learning exchange in BARMM. Through integrated and multi-sectoral interventions, including livelihood training and mentoring, mental health and psychosocial support, youth and community engagement, leadership development, peace and values education, counter-narrative initiatives, and strengthened local governance and security capacities in peacebuilding, disaster risk reduction, and inclusive planningโimplemented in collaboration with civil society organizations and private sector partnersโthe program promotes social reintegration, institutional strengthening, community cohesion, and meaningful participation in peacebuilding processes, ultimately contributing to safer, more stable, and resilient communities.
Among those present were the Executive Directors of partner organizations: Mr. Jobe C. Tubigon of Kasilak Development Foundation, Inc.; Sr. Erleen Carcillar of OND-HESED Foundation; Mr. Dausay S. Daulog, President of Maguindanaon Development Foundation, Inc.; Mr. Dennis A. Librado of Tribal Leaders Development Foundation, Inc.; and Ms. Liza Duropan-Lopez of Mahintana Foundation, Inc., together with Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker, Project Manager of ProPEACE PH, along with representatives from line agencies and stakeholders from the provinces of Sarangani and South Cotabato. The launch marked a significant milestone in advancing peace, progress, and healing through strengthened collaboration among government institutions, development partners, and private sector stakeholders.
A welcome remark was delivered by Ms. Liza Duropan-Lopez. Messages of support were likewise delivered by key partners and stakeholders, including Atty. Jennifer Buan of GCERF; Ms. Dyan Mabunga of the New Zealand Embassy; Mr. Gerardo Ramon Cesar B. Reynaldo of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA); Engr. Daren Espaรฑola of the Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA); Atty. Ilda Marie Debolgado of NCIP Region XII; Ms. Aida P. Seddic of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF); PD Hayd-Ali Suwaib of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) South Cotabato; Atty. Leila Rivera, representing the Legal and External Communications Manager of Dole Philippines, Inc.; Mr. Vic Paul M. Salarda, Municipal Administrator of Alabel; Mr. Antonio Veneracion, CEO of St. Elizabeth Hospital, Inc. (SEHI) and officers; and Mr. Loreto V. Cabaya Jr., Regional Director of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region XII.
Further, Mr. Aron Cheung, CEO and Founder of SportCanHeal852 highlighted mental health and wellness innovation in his message of support. All speakers expressed strong support and optimism for the successful implementation of the project. The launching concluded with closing remarks delivered by Mr. Jobe C. Tubigon, who emphasized the importance of sustained collaboration, unity, and shared responsibility among stakeholders in achieving long-term peace and development outcomes in the target communities.
The event was also attended by representatives from various institutions, including DepEd Region XII, DSWD Region XII, PLGU South Cotabato, DICT, DA Region XII, LGUs of Tupi, Malapatan, and Tboli, the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (6th, 73rd, and 105th Infantry Battalions), Muslim Council of Elders (MCEs), Municipal Local Government Operations Officers (MLGOOs), and various peopleโs organizations and sectoral groups.
A key highlight of the activity was the Marketing Agreement Signing, participated in by Ms. Liza Duropan-Lopez (MFI); Ms. Marichu T. Lim, MPA, Regional Program Coordinator of DSWD Region XII โ EPAHP; Mr. Antonio Veneracion, CEO of SEHI; and Ms. Krizzia C. Antola, CPA, Chief Finance Officer of SEHI. Representatives from BRUFACOOP, led by its President, Mr. Hanapi Camayog, and the Alabel Farmers Scientist Association (AFSA), represented by its President, Mr. Ronald L. Bok Sr., also joined the signing ceremony. Messages of appreciation were delivered by Mr. Ronald L. Bok Sr. and Ms. Dolores Redosendo, Manager of BRUFACOOP, expressing gratitude for the partnership and support extended to their organizations.
In the afternoon, the activity transitioned into an inception workshop attended by members of the consortium team and key stakeholders, including PD Hayd-Ali Suwaib of DILG South Cotabato, Ms. Irish Joy Y. Hingpit, MTF-ELCAC Focal Person of Kiamba, Ms. Marichu T. Lim of DSWD Region XII, and Ms. Deomedina Magdato, MLGOO Lake Sebu. The workshop focused on aligning implementation plans, strengthening coordination mechanisms, and setting the strategic direction for ProPEACE PH implementation across target areas.
