Lawmakers cite unity of Muslims, Christians in Lanao del Norte

Solons cited the unity of Muslims and Christians in Lanao del Norte when they visited the province during its 53rd Charter Day recently.

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Reps. Milagros “Mitos” Magsaysay, Cynthia Villa and former Surigao del Norte Gov. Robert “Ace” Barbers were in Lanao del Norte to witness its two-week long celebration to celebrate its founding day.

One thing that Sen. Escudero had witnessed was the unity and cooperation of the Muslims and Christians which caused the progress of the province.

“Many of the places in Mindanao are not progressing because of conflicts between religions. I hope they will see the advantage of unity just like what you have here in Lanao del Norte,” said Escudero.

Escudero was guest speaker of the Charter Day culmination program held on July 4 at the cavernous Mindanao Civic Center (MCC) gymnasium which was attended by more than 5,000 barangay officials from 21 municipalities of the province.

During the civic parade, the participants were ecstatic to see thousands of flower petals fall from the sky as the Army’s 2nd Mechanized Infantry (Magbalantay) Brigade conducted flower dropping using their Cessna aircraft.

On the other hand, Villar also was the guest speaker during Tourism Day on July 2. “I am very impressed with the facilities of Lanao del Norte. Lanao del Norte is really beautiful. Mindanao is really a nice place to see and Lanao del norte is one of those places,” Villar said.

For her part, Magsaysay told journalists covering the event that this is her first time in Lanao del Norte and was impressed with the beauty and bounty of the province. “I saw that it was very peaceful here, that Christians and Muslims can be together in one roof, and that Christians and Muslims are able to jam together,” she added.

Barbers also invited local and foreign tourists to visit Lanao del Norte to see and experience the province known as the ‘land of beauty and bounty’ and the ‘Motocross Capital of the Philippines’. “Come to Lanao del Norte because this is a very safe place,” Barbers said.