Wazzup Pilipinas!?
In a historic move to fortify the Visayas against the rising tides of climate change and social instability, the United Nations Association of the Philippines (UNAP) has officially launched a bold initiative to establish a network of Peace Centers across the region. This isn’t just an administrative expansion; it is a strategic mobilization designed to transform the Visayas into a bastion of community resilience and disaster preparedness.
The initiative is being spearheaded by a formidable coalition of leaders, including Captain Jose Roberto Q. Tolentino Jr. (National Director, UNAP) and BGen Joseph G. Sevilla, AFP (Ret) (National Chairman, UNAP DERIN), signaling a high-level commitment to the United Nations’ core pillars of peace, development, and humanitarian action.
Bohol: The Heart of the Mission
Bohol has been chosen as the pilot site for UNAP’s flagship programs, a decision that underscores the island’s rising global prominence. This mission coincides with a monumental era for the province:
Cultural Milestone: The recent inclusion of Asin Tibuok from Alburquerque in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List—a historic first for the Philippines.
Natural Wonder: Bohol’s standing as the country’s first and only UNESCO Global Geopark.
By anchoring the Peace Centers here, UNAP is weaving the threads of environmental conservation and cultural heritage into the very fabric of regional security.
The Command Centers of Resilience
To ensure the mission’s success, UNAP has established a robust organizational infrastructure across the islands:
The Regional Hub: The UNAP Visayas Islands Peace Center will be headquartered in the office of BGen Joseph G. Sevilla.
The Secretariat: Serving as the operational engine, the office of Engr. Amon Rey Clavano Loquere (UNAP Secretary for the Visayas) will function as the Visayas Secretariat Office. Engr. Loquere’s dual role as the External Vice President for the Green Party of the Philippines – Visayas creates a powerful synergy between peace-building and sustainable environmental policy.
The Grassroots Stronghold: In Antequera, Bohol, a specialized Bohol Island Peace Center will be established at the farm of Eugene Coquilla, UNAP Vice President for Bohol, providing a strategic and community-accessible location for localized programming.
A Call to Action: Facing the Storm
During his official visit to Bohol, Captain Tolentino delivered an urgent message regarding the escalating frequency of earthquakes, typhoons, and flooding. He emphasized that these Peace Centers are not merely symbolic; they are vital hubs for Disaster and Emergency Response.
Aligned with the UN’s Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, these centers will serve as training grounds to ensure that Visayan communities are no longer merely victims of natural hazards, but are instead equipped to respond, recover, and rebuild with unprecedented strength.
Looking Ahead: February 2026
The momentum is already building toward a definitive milestone. UNAP has announced that its first formal training in Bohol is scheduled for February 2026. This event will mark the beginning of a long-term engagement aimed at empowering local leaders, including Mario Blasabas (Vice President for Leyte) and other regional officers, to carry the torch of peace and sustainability across the archipelago.
As the Visayas prepares for this new chapter, the message is clear: through the unity of UNAP and local visionaries, the Philippines is setting a global standard for how heritage and resilience can pave the way for a more peaceful future.
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