QUEZON CITY – The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) led anew the ringing of the Peace Bell and a candle lighting ceremony here on Tuesday morning, September 5, as part of the celebration of the National Peace Consciousness Month 2023.
In her keynote message, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte reminded everyone of the “sacrifices and sufferings of those who endured the lack of peace in our country and the whole world, and commit to peace as a responsibility of each member of the community, as is the theme of this year’s Peace Month.”
Belmonte also lauded the OPAPRU for the peacebuilding initiatives it has carried out to ensure the “success of the peace process with the Bangsamoro.”
“Indeed, the peace that we have achieved with the Bangsamoro is a testament to the wisdom of listening to the concerns of our people, the non-state actors included, and engaging them in peaceful and meaningful dialogue, and further on, reconstruction,” she added.
For his part, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim, who was represented by Senior Minister Abunawas Maslamama, urged everyone to seek inspiration from the bell-ringing ceremony “to think about our collective responsibility as agents of change and bearers of peace.”
“…peace is not just the absence of violence but a product of our concerted efforts that transcends political and cultural boundaries,” he said.
Peace bell symbolizes peace, harmony, solidarity
In his message, Presidential Peace Adviser Sec. Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. emphasized that the ringing of the Peace Bell “symbolizes peace, harmony, solidarity.”
Galvez said that the bell’s chiming is a call for all Filipinos regardless of religion, tribe, or personal beliefs, “to play a key role in the peacebuilding.”
He said the “ceremony aims to continuously remind all of us to steadfastly defend, protect and sustain the country’s peace gains.”
Galvez said this ceremony must not be viewed as a mere ceremonial act, as “Its reverberations carry such an enormous transformative power that can touch people from all walks of life so that they too can become instruments of peace, development and positive change.”
The Peace Bell, which represents the Filipino people’s aspiration for a just and long-lasting peace, was donated by the World Peace Bell Association (WPBA), a Japan-based organization that promotes world peace by donating peace bells to countries across the globe.
Kayapayaan – responsibilidad ng bawat mamamayan
Galvez likewise underscored that this year’s Peace Month theme, “Kapayapaan: Responsibilidad ng Bawat Mamamayan”, is a call for all Filipinos’ to play an active role in the country’s peacebuilding process.
“[L]et us all keep in mind that peacebuilding is not the responsibility of a few chosen individuals or organizations, but a concerted and collective effort wherein everyone has a key role to play. As President Marcos Jr. has emphasized, time and again, no should be left behind.”
The peace adviser also encouraged everyone to, “ring the peace bell not just in gatherings such as this, but also in our hearts and minds to remind us of our commitment to peace.
“Together, we can build a nation where the sounds of conflict are replaced by the harmonious ringing of the peace bell, to celebrate the triumph of understanding, compassion and unity,” Galvez said.
Various peace stakeholders and partners attended the ceremonial ringing of the peace bell which included leaders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Moro National Liberation Front, KAPATIRAN, representatives from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, civil society organizations, and members of diplomatic corps.
Month-long activities
By virtue of Proclamation No. 675 dated 20 July 2004, the month of September was declared as the “National Peace Consciousness Month.” The Proclamation mandates the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process now OPAPRU to lead the observance and enjoins all government agencies and offices, private sector, and civil society groups to participate in the annual peace celebration
A number of events promoting National Peace Consciousness Month 2023 have been lined up for the month of September nationwide.
The OPAPRU will once again host the KaPEACEtahan Fair at Trinoma Activity Center from September 6 to 8.
Regional KaPEACEtahan fairs will also be hosted in Baguio at Malcolm Square from September 12 to 13; at the Bicol University in Albay from September 14 and 15; and at the Mindanao State University – General Santos City Campus from September 21 to 22.
The 3rd OPAPRU Peace Research Conference with the theme “Building Resilient Communities: Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism and Radicalism” will be held from September 7 to 8 at the Chardonnay by Astoria in Pasig City.
Wreath-offering ceremonies will also be held at both the Libingan ng mga Bayani and Manila Memorial Park on September 28 to pay tribute to the country’s peace builders who have passed on.
To culminate the National Peace Consciousness Month celebration, the OPAPRU will host the Gawad Kapayapaan awarding ceremony to honor peace champions for 2023 on September 29 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.
For more updates on this year’s peace month celebrations, you may follow OPAPRU’s social media accounts with the username @peacegovph on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tiktok and Youtube. ###
