DAVAO CITY, September 16, 2018 — “The dividends of peace should be shared by all.”

This was the message of Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) Commissioner Jose Lorena Jr. during the closing ceremony of the Multicultural Peace Fair Bazaar at the Abreeza Mall here in Davao City last September 13.

Lorena said the gains of peace should not just benefit a particular sector or group but everyone, regardless of ideology, tribe, or religion.

He said the Duterte Administration’s Peace and Development Roadmap is anchored on the principles of inclusivity and convergence.

“There should be inclusivity and convergence in all our initiatives. One sector cannot do it alone,” he said.

Lorena said it is President Duterte’s vision to see all Filipinos united and rallying behind the national government’s peace and development agenda.   

He said this is the reason the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) is strengthening the “bigger peace table” or the general public.

“Let us all set aside our differences and work together. It is time for us to achieve the peace and development we have long been aspiring for,” he said.

The three-day peace fair, which kicked off on September 11, was organized by OPAPP, Mindanao Peace Council, and JCI Duwaling.

The event is in line with the celebration of this year’s National Peace Consciousness Month themed “Mithiing Kapayapaan, Sama-Samang Isakatuparan.” ###