1) There will be one (1) winner per Category and each will receive a plaque of recognition and P25,000

2) A “Grand Prize” will be selected from among the shortlisted entries. The awardee will receive a plaque of appreciation and will travel to Colombia for a MEDIA-EXCHANGE to learn, experience and report about the country’s peace processes. The Awardee will also receive P100,000 travel allowance.

3) Special Award for Women and/or Youth Reports

4) Special Award Reporting Peace in the Pandemic*

5) All nominees will receive certificates of recognition.

*PEACE IN THE PANDEMIC

The outbreak of the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has posed serious challenges to sustainable development, health care systems, access to justice, and disaster response, particularly impacting women, girls, children, and indigenous persons.  The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is further exacerbated by armed conflict, ongoing violence, and humanitarian emergencies. Progress made on peace agreement implementation, peace processes, and post conflict recovery could be jeopardized, triggering a return to violence. Peace and security in the Philippines is fragile. The implementation of the peace agreement between the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has significantly slowed down because of the COVID-19 crisis. Key steps in institution-building of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) such as the development of the administrative and electoral codes have been put on hold. Despite the declaration of unilateral ceasefires by the Philippine government and the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF), violence between the warring parties has increased, risking security for women and girls and deliberately disrupting the delivery of emergency relief goods. Women and youth peacebuilders are on the frontlines of the pandemic response, with very limited support, protective equipment, and funding. They are key actors in preventing the spread of the pandemic and mitigating its negative effects on women and girls in conflict-affected communities in the Philippines. Despite their contributions, women and youth peacebuilders remain marginalized in the crisis and excluded in the decision- making process regarding the response.

The “Peace in the Pandemic” Award will highlight news stories which recognize the gendered impacts of the pandemic on communities affected by the transition to the BARMM or the ongoing peace process between the CPP-NPA-NDF and the government; and the significant contributions of women and youth activists/peacebuilders in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.