MINDANAO WEEK OF PEACE CELEBRATION 2015

MINDANAO WEEK OF PEACE CELEBRATION 2015

November 26 (last Thursday) – December 2 (first Wednesday)

(Presidential Proclamation No. 127 of 2001 by Pres. Arroyo declaring from 2001 and every year thereafter the

Mindanao Week of Peace Celebrations, every last Thursday of November to first Wednesday of December)

               

Theme: “Sustaining the Gains of Our Peacebuilding”

Calendar of Activities

ILIGAN CITY AND LANAO DEL NORTE

DATE	ACTIVITY	VENUE	LEAD AGENCY
Nov. 25, 2015	Press Conference (Opening Salvo)	Macboy Beach Resort, Bacolod, Lanao del Norte	Civil Society Organization of Lanao del Norte in Partnership for Peace & Devt. (CSOLNPPD)
Nov. 25-26, 2015	Gathering of PAMANA Beneficiaries from Lanao del Norte	Macboy Beach Resort, Bacolod, Lanao del Norte	Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP)
Nov. 27, 2015	Confidence Building with the Security Sector and Other Stakeholders: A Bantay Bayanihan Activity	MSU-IIT, Iligan City	CSOLNPPD
Nov. 27, 2015	TEDxMSUIIT: In the Land of Promise Mindanao, the land of promise, has always evoked “contrasting images of bounty and want, of war and peace, of rapid development amid the increasing impoverishment of its people” (Muslim and Cagoco-Guiam, 1999). Six Topics & Speakers: Ø The Promise of Science         by Jinky Bornales Ø The Promise of Art     by Salima Saway-Agraan Ø The Promise of the Soil       by Jun Pacalioga Ø  The Promise of Resiliency      by Imelu Mordeno Ø The Promise of Empowerment       by Sukarno Tanggol Ø The Promise of Choice       by Sitti Djalia Turabi-Hataman	CASSalida Theater in MSU-IIT on November 27, 2015 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Registration fee is at Php 300.	Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT)
Nov. 27-28, 2015	Peace and Development Camp	Tubod, Lanao del Norte	Ecosystems Work for Essential Benefits (ECOWEB)
Nov. 28-29, 2015	Gathering of MNLF CHED Scholars	Midway White Beach Resort, Initao, Misamis Oriental	OPAPP
Nov. 29, 2015	Walk for Peace	Iligan City	Civil Society Organization Forum for Peace (CSO-FP)
Nov. 30, 2015	Paraisong Pambata	Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte	15th Infantry Battalion
Nov. 30, 2015	Larong Pinoy	Tubod, Lanao del Norte	2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade
Dec. 1, 2015	Culmination Activity: Unveiling of Peace Monument (Turned-In Crew Served Weapons and Firearms from the MNLF)	Unveiling of Peace Monument: Bacolod, Lanao del Norte Culmination Program: Munai, Lanao del Norte	Pakigdait Alang Sa Pag-amoma sa Kalinaw (PAKIGDAIT)
Dec. 2, 2015	Media Forum on Peace and Security	Golden Pot Restaurant, Iligan City	CSO-FP
Dec. 3, 2015	Declaration of Lanao del Norte as CCP NPA INSURGENCY FREE	Tubod, Lanao del Norte	2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade
Dec 4, 2015	Community Consultation on Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL)	Munai, Lanao del Norte	CSO-FP/ MARADECA
Dec. 5, 2015	Community consultation on BBL	Balo-i, lanao del Norte	CSO-FP/ MARADECA
Dec. 6, 2015	Lanao del Norte Provincial wide consultation on BBL	Iligan City	CSO-FP/Maranao People Devt Center (MARADECA)

Note:      1. Mindanao Week of Peace (MWoP) Schedule of the time of activities will be announced in the invitations.

2. Pre and post MWoP activities are considered part of the celebrations because of plenty of activities  

     that cannot be accommodated in the inclusive dates of the MWoP.

Military peacebuilder celebrates 42nd founding anniversary

Military peacebuilder celebrates 42nd founding anniversary

by Malyne Gungob

Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte (November 3, 2015) – it was the 42^nd Founding Anniversary of the 15^th Infantry Battalion, successfully conducted at Bagumbayan, Kausawagan, Lanao del Norte, headed by Lt. Col. Leomar Jose Doctolero, Battalion Commander.

At the stage seated at left is Maj. Gen. Guerrero, seated at right is
lanao del Norte Vice Gov. Atay. 

The event was attended by officers and men of the Arm Forces of the Philippines, stakeholders, different sectors of society, local chief executive of Local Government Unit of Lanao del Norte, Academe, Religious sector, Youth, Media, with the presence of the provincial Governor Mohammad Khalid Q. Dimaporo and Vice Governor Christine Navarro Atay.

The Theme of the event in Tagalog was “Apat napu’t Dalawang Taon na Paglilingkod sa Sambayanang Pilipino tungo sa Kapyapaan at Kaunlaran”.

Lt. Col. Leomar Jose Doctolero, delivered a welcome message

Lt. Col. Leomar Jose Doctolero on his welcome message said he is very thankful to all visitors, partners and Friends who were supporting the activities of the 15^th Infantry battalion. It was two (2) years ago that the 15^th IB preserved peace and order in Lanao del Norte, through helping, protecting and serving the people. He is hoping that 15^th IB will continue to help each other in the spirit of Bayanihan through coordination, collaboration, partnership and cooperation for the common good in order to achieve peace and order and long lasting peace in Lanao del Norte.

Col. Gilbert Gapay and other military officials listened to the
message of Maj. Gen. Guerrero.

On the other hand, Guest Speaker Major General Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero, Commander 3^rd Infantry Division, Philippine Army, on his message said “it is the opportunity to look back, assess and evaluate the performance during the past years.” Guerrero said it included in the program by reading the unit history which expanded 42 years of existence. The Battalion has transition over the years moving from place to another from Visayas, Luzon and Mindanao, back and forth. He said critical component is very important hinder in the area of responsibility. The Battalion tries to recall the accomplishments in the past years and it is truly we can see that today it has much improvements initiated by the 15^th Infantry Battalion not just the peace and order but it included the men in uniform the Philippine Army will assimilated into the society. With the stakeholders the relationship of Military and Police in Lanao del Norte is very dynamic by playing the important rules when it comes in maintaining peace and order but also promoting development under the stewardship of Hon. Governor Mohammad Khalid Q. Dimaporo.

LGU officials were invited to witness the event.

Guerrero said over the years the collaboration, coordination and cooperation has bloomed into a healthy relation in the community, until now peace and progress is now truly felt even the marginalized sector was truly growth development has become inclusive in the area and it can attribute to the able leadership not only the Military but also to the help of each one another. Moreover, with the cooperation, collaboration we can see now the beauty and peaceful environment and hoping that this will continue to pursue for the future generation, the children, the grand children and most importantly the community itself. He added this is a day of recognition, a day of commemoration, a day of thanks giving, not only for the peace but also the understanding, patience of the people of Lanao del Norte.

Media group covered the event.

On the other hand, Col. Gilbert I. Gapay, Brigade Commander of the 2^nd Mechanized infantry “Magbalantay” Brigade said that whenever there is anniversary of the military units will have its important significance such as the 42^nd anniversary celebration of the 15^th Infantry Battalion. He said that this is the time of thanksgiving, recognition and planning ahead. He said that the 15^th IB is Active in peace advocacy and peacebuilding activities such as the Youth leadership summit held recently was a very important and successful activity to capacitate the youth and maintain peace and order in the area.  Gapay extended his thanks to the different stakeholders as partners in peace, the LGUs, NGOs, CSOs, media, academe, religious, youth, civic organizations and other sectors. He said planning ahead for the following year will make them (15^th IB) more stronger to maintain the peace and order in the area. With reports, videos & photos from Jun Enriquez.

2nd Youth summit for peace held in Lanao

2^nd Youth summit for peace held in Lanao

By Jun Enriquez

Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte (Octber 25, 2015) - At least 700 participants from the youth sector, Muslims and Christians, participated on the two-day 2^nd Youth summit 2015 held Oct 24-25 at the Kauswagan Central Elementary School, this town. The event was spearheaded by the 15^th Infantry Battalion, 3^rd Infantry Division Philippine Army. On the first day of the event, it started with the parade around the major streets of this town participated by the youth from the seven municipalities of Kauswagan, Bacolod, Munai, Maigo, Tangkal, Kolambugan and Poona Piagapo all of Lanao del Norte. The theme for this year’s summit is “Kapayapaan nating minimithi, magsimula sa ating sarili.” The said event was in cooperation with the involvement of the seven municipalities, Gawad Kalinga, Youth for Development, Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), Gaba-an Lead Youth, New Ground Events Youth, 5^th mechanized Infantry “Kaagapay” Battalion and 2^nd Mechanized Infantry “ Magbalantay” Brigade. Invited guests during the opening day were Congressman Imelda Dimaporo represented by Marivic Ramos of the first district, Lanao del Norte, Col. Florencio Budiongan, Deputy Commander of the 2^nd Mechanized Infantry “Magbalantay” Brigade, Kauswagan Mayor Rommel Arnado, and Poona Piagapo Mayor Farhana Palawan, among others.  The first youth summit last year was held on October 25-26, 2014.

 

Lt. Col. Doctolero delivered a message before the  participants.

Prior to the event, a facilitators training was conducted on October 23 in preparation for the actual summit activities. There were 140 youth participants trained as facilitators and facilitated the youth summit. Andy Summers and Dennis Caballero, youth champions from the Gabaan lead youth (GLY) based in Negros Oriental lead the facilitation of the youth summit event. Gabaan means bad karma, it’s a curse to be afraid but instead a person must be blessed.  It is a challenge to make negative thing into positive. The GLY is not afraid of bad karma instead they work for the good karma, for the good future of the youth.  The champions organized the “tatak #selfie 2015” foundation whose members mostly are students. They defined “Selfie” a modern word means selfish and they make it into selfless meaning “tunay na kabataan”, making the good future for the youth and become better citizen.

The “tatak #selfie 2015” have four major activities, first, is the outcome a self-analysis on “how do you see yourself”. Second is Buffer, symbolizes protection on “how to react to problems”. Third is Motive, it is asking “why did you do these things”. and fourth, Self-verification, a self-reflection, deals on “who you really are”. The activities conducted are more on values formation for the youth to become good citizens in the country and create goodness in the society. It is an awareness raising of what happened in their community, especially awareness on human trafficking, then reflect and connect it to the modules conducted. The actions taken during the workshop is more on community based not activity based. The module also innovate things from traditional actions due to cultural sensitivity. Measurement of actions is based on social analysis results. 

Media briefing with the youth chapions, Dennis Caballero, 2nd
from left seated  facing the camera and Andy Summers, 4th from
left seated facing the camera, of Gabaan Youth Lead.

Caballero said they learned that the most common problems of the youth in the family are food and education. Leadership training is not appropriate they should be processed on social development not teambuilding. Leadership training is a separate activity for the youth. Crying during workshops is not enough and it needs to be processed why they cried. There is a need to uplift the morale of the youth. The Gabaan lead youth has also a “Tikang” program, a values formation for the youth. Tikang means step in its concept, “A journey of a thousand miles begin in a single step.” Tikang is also identical to the Tatak selfie program.

The “Tatak Selfie” Foundation composed of students was organized by the Gaba-an Youth Lead and New Ground Events focusing on the self-worth that the youth all over the Philippines should have active participation in the community to know the psychological and social aspects, culture sensitive, values formation, team building, social development and personality development.

 

Talent showdown of youth participants with the military band.

During the culmination activity, the youth representatives from each municipality gave their impressions. The experienced of the youth is very extraordinary because they really learned many things by doing their tasks and responsibilities given by the facilitators. They were thankful to the organizer, the 15th IB headed by Lt. Col. Doctolero. They experienced of having more fun with their co-youth from different places, they performed well and enjoyed the activities which they can also contribute their talents and skills during the workshops and in so doing will create unity for youth in the next generation.

In his closing message, Lt. Col. Leomar Jose Doctolero, Battalion Commander, 15th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army based in Kauswagan, said that that he is very happy while looking at the Youth participants that they change a lot in terms from being shy and afraid to join somebody else, but now they learned many things, and build confidence in their selves. All of them rendered sacrifices during the activities conducted. They slept late at night and wake-up early in the morning. They got more friends among the Muslims and Christians, they mingled each other as new friends from different municipalities of Lanao del Norte. Doctolero said, with this development, the youth of Lanao del Norte can achieved and realize the dream of long lasting Peace, Love and Unity in their respective municipality. 

Col. Gilbert Gapay, Brigade Commander of the 2^nd Mechanized Infantry “Magbalantay” Brigade, based in Maria Cristina, Iligan City, said that the spirit of Bayanihan during the event is present and extended his thanks and appreciation to the lead organizer, the 15^th Infantry Battalion in cooperation with the 5^th Mechanized Infantry Battalion including the seven municipalities involved in the summit and other institutions that made the youth summit a success. He also extended his congratulations to the 700 youth participants from seven municipalities for their efforts and untiring participation for the intensive workshops until late evening and wake up early in the morning just to learn something. He also extended his thanks and appreciation to the youth champions for sharing their talents and skills for free in the conduct of the youth summit workshop activities. The gains of the youth from the summit will help develop their self-confidence and to make them a better citizens in the country. With reports and photos by Malyne D. Gungob.