DAVAO CITY — The provincial government of Agusan del Norte and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity Eastern Mindanao has inaugurated last 20 September 2023 the "Kagawasan 143" Peace Center — the first of its kind in the country.

The facility is seen to build bridges of understanding and support for former rebels who have chosen the path of peace and reconciliation, while also providing them with the necessary resources and opportunities to reintegrate into society successfully.

OPAPRU Eastern Mindanao director Atty. Elisa Evangelista-Lapiña revealed that the peace center would serve as a hub for community engagement, where FRS can come together to discuss and address local issues, share ideas, and build a stronger, more cohesive community.

She added that OPAPRU would closely collaborate with the "Kagawasan 143" Peace Center that would actively support and engage in peacebuilding initiatives within the city, and the province of Agusan del Norte working closely with grassroots organizations, local organizations, the academe and other government agencies to promote conflict resolution and social harmony.

"This endeavor is part of the OPAPRU's Localized Peace Engagements Cluster's Transformation Program for FRs in close collaboration with the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC," said Lapiña.

The OPAPRU official also vowed to transfer P5 million to initially fund the operations of the 143 Peace Center that would strengthen the implementation of the  OPAPRU's Localized Peace Engagements Cluster's Transformation Program in the province.