Peace efforts in Davao region underlined in Peace Month opening

Momentous gains in the peace efforts within the Davao Region were highlighted during the opening ceremony of the National Peace Consciousness Month at the Royal Mandaya Hotel on September 1.

The celebration of the Peace Month, with the theme “Kapayapaan ay responsibilidad ng bawat mamamayan,” aims to strengthen peace initiatives in the country by emphasizing on the need for unity and individual responsibility towards fostering peace.

Friday’s opening, headed by City Government of Davao’s Peace 911 program and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), was attended by leaders from the different provinces of Davao Region, friends rescued (FR) turned peace champions, officers from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and other public officials.

Lawyer Elisa Lapiña, former Peace 911 focal person and now OPAPRU Eastern Mindanao Director, said the peace efforts and strategies in the region had been cited by the national government and are worthy of being celebrated and sustained.

In particular, the Peace 911 program is currently being emulated in other parts of Mindanao, Lapiña said.

Peace 911 is a multi-sectoral program of the Davao City local government that focuses on cultivating trust between the government and disadvantaged areas in the city as well as strengthening communities in these areas by delivering social welfare programs and other public services.

During the opening ceremony, Davao Region executives, headed by the Regional Peace and Order Council Chair and Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte, reiterated the regional officials’ commitment to further improve the peace situation in the region and to continue building on the gains of its peace strategies.

Duterte also remarked on the considerable progress made in the peace situation in the city and vowed his support to sustaining these gains in line with the national agenda.

“Here in Davao City we have begun to reap the benefits of peace-building efforts that are anchored on a coordinated and comprehensive multi-sectoral approach. Last year, Davao City and the entire Davao Region were declared insurgency-free and we intend to keep it that way,” the mayor said in his speech.

“As such, you can be assured that the City Government of Davao and the Regional Peace and Order Council XI shall remain committed to the comprehensive peace process of the national government and to initiatives that will enable us to build on the peace and sustain the gains we have achieved,” he added.

Activities have been lined up for the celebration of the Peace Month, including the Peace Village on September 11 to 13 in SM City Ecoland Annex where various provinces from all over Mindanao will be showcasing their peace efforts, best practices, and programs.

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