MANILA, March 18 -- Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. on Sunday highlighted the vital role that local government units (LGUs) play in peacebuilding and development.

"Napaka-importante po ng role ng ating mga LGUs (LGUs play a very valuable role) because it is only through localized normalization and transformation implementation that our programs become sustainable because we all contribute, the LGUs contribute," Galvez said in a statement.

He noted that LGUs and the officials leading them have a deeper understanding of issues and concerns, and view them "from a more grounded and realistic perspective" because of their understanding of local dynamics.

"With this...