President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Wednesday approved a unilateral ceasefire with communist rebels as a gesture of peace and goodwill for Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the President approved the holiday truce recommended by the military that starts at 12:01 a.m. on December 24 and end at 12 p.m. on December 26.

The suspension of offensive military operations (SOMO) with the New People’s Army, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), will commence again at 12:01 a.m. on December 31 and expire at 12 p.m. on January 1, 2010.

“The President has approved the SOMO as recommended by the Armed Forces of the Philippines in keeping with the holiday season,” Ermita said in a news conference in the Palace.

Ermita said he hopes the communist rebels would reciprocate the government’s gesture of goodwill "necessary for peace and tranquility" during the holidays. He appealed to the rebel group to respect the “holiness” of Christmas season and refrain from attacking civilian communities and other public places.

The government traditionally halts military operations against rebels so the soldiers can return to their families to spend the Christmas holidays. The communist rebel group usually declares its own holiday ceasefire.

Despite the declaration of the holiday truce, Ermita said government troops would remain on alert against possible attacks by the communist rebels, particularly during the group’s 41st anniversary on December 26.

“We appeal to them not to take advantage of the holiday ceasefire. As Filipinos, they should also join the celebration of the Christmas holidays and going towards the New Year,” he added.

As this developed, the United Nations and Japan are working together on a $2.5 million project for development assistance to communities in the Bondoc Peninsula in Southern Luzon affected by activities of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army.

The funding for project entitled “Inter-Agency Program to Nurture Peace, Security and Decent Work through Local Development in Conflict Areas of the Philippines” will be coursed through the US Trust Fund.

The project will be implemented by the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

“This project is expected to promote the human security of disadvantaged people in Bondoc Peninsula,” the Japanese Embassy in Manila said in a statement.

“Development assistance to areas affected by the activities of the CPP – NPA remains limited and thus people in these areas are facing human security threats. The project aims to address the human security threats in Bondoc which is one of such areas by tackling poverty, underdevelopment, and conflict through a multi-faced and integrated approach,” it added.

The project is expected to enhance the livelihood assets of at least 3,500 people by providing the necessary goods such as seeds, fertilizers and livestock as well as technologies for agriculture and fishery; increase livelihood opportunities through skills training and job-matching support; promotion of community-based savings and community-based disaster risk management; and improving social services, particularly for women and children.

The ILO describes the Bondoc Peninsula as a “stronghold” of the CPP – NPA.

“Economically, the province lags behind neighboring areas due to physical isolation and insurgency,” it said.

Poverty incidence in the area was noted at 47.7 percent in 2006.

Eighty percent of the residents in Bondoc Peninsula are mostly farmers and fishermen. (with a report by Madel R. Sabater)