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Beginning in 1992 the National Unification Commission conducted public consultations throughout the country meetings in 71 of the 76 provinces. Five major roots of conflict were identified by the people during these consultations. These illustrate clearly how a culture of peace must be closely associated with equitable development, social justice and a culture of democracy:
• massive poverty and economic inequity,
• poor governance,
• injustice and abuse of power,
• control by a few of political power,
• Exploitation of cultural communities and lack of recognition of their ancestral domain.
Six paths to peace were recommended by the National Unification Commission and have been incorporated into the Governments Executive Order No. 125. These commit the country to a long term process of reform, consultation, reconciliation, and the building of a positive climate for peace:
• Social, economic and political reforms to address the root causes of insurgency and social unrest.
• Consensus building and empowerment for peace which makes consultation with the people an effective and regular part of governance.
• Peace talks with the different rebel groups that aim at final negotiated settlements of the conflicts.
• Reconciliation, reintegration into society and rehabilitation of all rebels which includes amnesty and addresses their needs.
• Protection of civilians and de escalation of conflict, including recognition of peace zones and protection of human rights.
• The building of a positive climate for peace which includes peace advocacy and education for Philippine society as a whole.
With the visit of President Fidel Ramos to UNESCO in September 1994, an agreement was reached for UNESCO support to a Philippine National Culture of Peace Programme. This programme complements the six steps to peace'. While the six steps concentrate on changes in social structures and social interactions, the Programme focuses on the transformations of concepts, values, attitudes and perspectives which influence behaviour and structures.
The construction of peace is seen as an evolutionary process in which the culture of peace complements the social structures of peace, each reflecting and being in dynamic interaction with each other. By promoting the internalization of values, the Programme helps lay a foundation for a durable peace.
The Social Reform Agenda (SRA) has become a key provision of the peace process a package of legislative reforms aimed at providing for the needs of the basic sectors of the population. Its development illustrates in practice how a culture of peace must develop as a process of dialogue and compromise among all parties to a conflict. The SRA was developed as a result of a series of consultations which included the National Peace Conference, the People's Caucus, the People's Agenda for Development and Democracy, and the Social Pact of March 1993.
The roots of conflict identified by the people during the consultation process in the Philippines show that a culture of peace must be closely associated with equitable development, social justice and a culture of democracy.