MANILA, Jan. 27 – “Peace is everybody’s concern.”

 This was stressed anew today by Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Annabelle T. Abaya in her extemporaneous speech before members of civil society at the launching of the three-part series “Peace Partners’ Forum” designed to strengthen the participation of people down to the grassroots in the peace process undertaken by the government.

Abaya said the government is tapping civil society as partners in the implementation of projects that would help in peace-building measure.

She said it is the civil society that knows best in identifying what projects are to be undertaken in their own locality that would redound to the benefit and welfare of the people in their respective communities.

Abaya said the government, particularly the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) is the administrator in the proper implementation of various projects.

She pointed out the importance of the forum to solicit from stakeholders and peace partners what their priorities are that would spur the peace talks for a just and lasting peace agreement with communist and Muslim rebel groups.

At the same time, Abaya said that talks coming from the heart will result in confidence-building a.nd trust from both sides.

The one-day forum will also enable the government to feel the pulse of the people down to the grassroots and prevent skepticism and anxiety.

Abaya was unfazed of the short time frame she would be at OPAPP until June this year, saying she would closely work hard with civil society to put the peace process at the forefront with the hope of signing separate peace accords with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army/National Democratic Front (CPP/NPA/NDF).

She challenged all stakeholders “what they can do for peace” because the government cannot do it alone.

During the forum, the participants were updated on the status of the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Process.

They were also briefed on the “Project for Peace” as a comprehensive program of partnership between government and civil society.

Similar forum will be held in Davao City on Jan. 29 and a third one in Iloilo on Feb. 3.