Cordillera to Marawi peace caravan underway
BAGUIO CITY – The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) yesterday launched the ‘Peace Buzz (Bus)Biyaheng Kapayapaan’ caravan, aimed at promoting a culture of peace through outreach programs in support of National Peace Consciousness Month.
The momentous peace journey kicked off yesterday morning at the People’s Park, highlighted by prayers for the people of Marawi City, signifying the Cordillera people’s solidarity with displaced residents of the ravaged Mindanao city.
Last September 15, a group of tribal elders performed a peace ritual with the offering of animals and prayers in Mount Data in Bauko, Mountain Province.
“The prayer for peace will be sent to the people of Marawi through the Peace Buzz to be handed to the community leaders of Marawi in hope that this offering will convey the Cordillera people’s solidarity with them in their time of crisis,” said Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan, who heads the Cordillera Regional Development Council (RDC) and Peace and Order Council (RPOC).
The Peace Buzz will make a stop in Quezon City today to signal the ceremonial ringing of the World Peace Bell.
It will proceed to Legazpi City on September 24 for a series of conversations with the youth, and film showing activities on peace.
Binibining Pilipinas Grand-International 2017 and National Peace Ambassadress Elizabeth Clenci will grace the event to regale kids with peace stories.
The next stop is Catbalogan City in Samar on September 25, where a candle-lighting and launching of the Peace and Prosperity Roadmap was organized as well as the simultaneous launching of the Samar Women Action Network Congress and Youth Peace Congress.
The peace caravan will visit Butuan City on September 27 where conversations with indigenous peoples and peace forum on development projects and peace agreement such as Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) and the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law wil be held.
On September 29 , the Peace Buzz will stop in Davao City for a unity concert, while a ‘Bike for Peace’ activity will be held in Cotabato City on September 30.
The culminating activity will be held in Iligan City, where the ringing of the Peace Gong and in Marawi for the closing ceremony of the National Peace Consciousness Month, where President Duterte’s presence is expected. (Zaldy Comanda)