The campaign was repackaged to YES FOR PEACE – BAYANIHAN NG BAYAN para sa Mapayapa, Maunlad at Masaganang Pilipinas pursuant to statement of President Rodrigo R. Duterte, “More than 40 years of armed struggle, and thousands of lives lost is too much to bear.”

The questions posed were still in consonance with UN Resolution 53/243.

The campaign was proposed in response to PRRDs request for support of CESOs / NUCESO to PRRD’s Six Point Peace and Development Program presented by OPAPP during the 15^th Career Executive Service (CES) Convention held from November 23 to 25, 2016 at the Villa Caceres Hotel, Magsaysay Avenue, Naga City with this year’s theme “Convergence for Change: Inspiring Leadership, Integrity in Innovation, Inclusive Development”

The DepEd NEU National Executive Officers and Board of Trustees requested DepEd Secretary Leonor Magtolis-Briones to issue a DepEd Memorandum for the national implementation of the YfP-BB campaign.

Secretary Briones issued DepEd Memorandum No. 066, s. 2017.

CHED Chairperson Patricia B. Licuanan issued a Memorandum on 02 June 2017.

Ms. Keliza Farrah Dureza – Uy, Chief of Staff / Head Executive Assistant of OPAPP was pleased to note, “information materials on YES for Peace – Bayanihan ng Bayan… can serve as reference for the current peace process as well as future peace constituency-building of OPAPP,

Deputy Chief of Staff for CMO, J-7. Deputy Chief of Staff for CMO MGen Melquiades L. Feliciano issued an AFP Message Form 0J-A3-17-08-05 from CSAFP to Commanders, Unified Commands (Attn: U7s), “… to engage their counterpart DepEd and CHED officials stationed in their respective AORs by enjoining/urging them to comply with the DepEd/CHED Memoranda.”

Barely six days after the issuance of the AFP Message, Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT-Teachers) Representative France Castro prevailed upon Secretary Briones into suspending the implementation of the DepEd Memorandum No. 66, s. 2017 during a meeting of the Appropriations meeting of the Hose of Representatives on the DepEd budget. The latter was forced to issue DepEd Memorandum No. 142, s. 2017 citing unspecified “issues raised by some various stakeholders”. No other information was given.

While compliance was not desired, expected nor directed, 1,237,780 responses were generated in compliance with DM No. 66, 2017.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte wrote in a Message, “Cultural differences, political disputes and other socio-economic challenges are some of the reasons why our country cannot totally move forward. These issues have slowed down our nation’s growth. 

“I recognize this noble undertaking of Yes for Peace – Bayanihan ng Bayan because it promotes a newfound culture of harmony and cooperation among our communities and across our regions…

“Together, let us show our solidarity in effecting real and lasting change in our society.”

PRRD issued Executive Order No. 70, “Institutionalizing the Whole-of-Nation Approach in Attaining Inclusive and Sustainable Peace, Creating a National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, and Directing the Adoption of a National Peace Framework”

Inasmuch as EO 70 was focused in ending the local communist armed conflicts, questions formulated in 2010 and fielded through DepEd Memorandum No. 277, s. 2011 were evaluated and assessed the vis-à-vis Executive Order No. 70, s. 2018.  It turned out that EO No. 70 was, as a matter of fact, responsive to the responses to the questions formulated in cooperation with Bayan Muna and the Ibon Foundation.

The SUCBEM (Sectoral Unification, Capability Building, Empowerment and Mobilization) Cluster of the NTF ELCAC (National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict) recommended the following, “Adapt, refine and facilitate the implementation of YES FOR PEACE – Bayanihan ng Bayan, La Liga Independencia, and Sambayanan as Whole-of-Nation undertakings primarily through the DEPED, CHED, DILG, PCUP, NCIP, PHILPOST, OPAPP, NCMF and other National Government agencies.” However, the plan was classified as SECRET.

Upon the suggestion of Secretary Esperon, the implementation plan was “refined” and developed independently of the activities of the NTF-ELCAC to maintain its independence as a non-government initiative.  Nevertheless, its working parameters focused in mobilizing the pro-active involvement and collective participation of the Filipino people for as a component of the Whole-of-Nation approach to ending the local communist armed conflict.

The refinement of the campaign revolved upon the involvement of the whole government and the people to attain an era of a just, inclusive, sustainable and lasting peace.  According to the implementation plan, each government agency shall contribute in accordance with its functions to ensure the most cost-effective and resource efficient means of holistically addressing the identified needs of the people as the means to bring about good governance.

The campaign’s people-centered Road Map to Unity and its Implementation Plan with five (5) thematic areas – Arouse, Organize, Mobilize, Govergence and Charter Change – was refined in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal No. 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions which states, “Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access and justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.” 

The revised implementation plan was submitted for the information of PRRD who wrote, “As we transition into a new leadership, I call upon the Filipino people to take proactive involvement in our response to national concerns, and endeavor towards the much-needed unity of our beloved Philippines. May we all continue to work harmoniously towards a more just and free society, especially for future generations.”