City to join National Peace Consciousness Month celebration

The City Government of Davao, through its Peace 911 program, will be joining the celebration of the National Peace Consciousness Month spearheaded by the Office of the Presidential Adviser for Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU).

Since 2004, the month of September has been declared National Peace Consciousness Month under Proclamation No. 675.

OPAPRU Eastern Mindanao Director Atty. Elisa Lapiña said the peace gains within Davao Region and neighboring territories will be highlighted during the monthlong celebration

“September is the National Peace Consciousness Month and we will celebrate ang kadaugan nato— especially diri sa Davao City —and the entire Region XI,” she said during the I-Speak media forum on Thursday.

This year’s NPC Month is themed “Kapayapaan ay responsibilidad ng bawat mamamayan” which Lapiña bared is meant to serve as a reminder that maintaining the region’s insurgency-free status (declared last year) is a collective undertaking that everyone must actively participate in.

“We really need to remind ourselves na dili lang gyud diay siya concern sa military or sa gobyerno kung dili sa matag-usa para ma-sustain ang atong gains,” Lapiña said.

To start of the celebration, a congregation of peace representatives from all the provinces of Region XI will be held on September 1 at the Royal Mandaya Hotel. The gathering will be led by Mayor Sebastian Duterte who is currently the Regional Peace and Order Council Chair for Davao region.

The exhibit will also showcase each province’s reintegration programs for FRs under the OPAPRU. Lapiña said FR no longer stands for “former rebels” but now means “friends rescued” to refer to former members of insurgent groups.

On September 11 to 13, various provinces from all over Mindanao will be participating in the Peace Village exhibit in SM City Ecoland Annex. Peace efforts, best practices, programs, and peace gains will be showcased by various local government units in the exhibit. Free services and programs will also be available to the public.

On September 19 to 21, a Peace Fair exhibiting products of FRs, their livelihood, and other trade goods from Mindanao will be at the NCCC Victoria Plaza.

Lapiña invites the public to take part in the activities and asked for their support in the local and national government’s efforts in fostering peace. CIO