Nationwide Peace Month Celebration culminates in Iligan City

By Jun Enriquez

Iligan City – Month of September is the observance of the nationwide Peace month celebration successfully culminated in Iligan City on October 1, 2017. The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) in cooperation with the Local government units (LGUs) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) launched the 2017 National Peace Consciousness Month, A Solidarity for Peace with the theme “Puso para sa Kapayapaan Magkaisa para sa Bayan”. The activity was called Peace Buzz by holding peace caravan and peace rallies nationwide started in Baguio City on September 21; Quezon City Memorial Circle on September 22; Legazpi City on September 24; Catbalogan City on September 25; Butuan City on September 27; Davao City on September 29; Cotabato City on September 30 and Iligan City on October 1 held at the Iligan City Public plaza freedom park, the whole day event.

Mayor Celso G. Regencia, Iligan City 

Mayor Celso G. Regencia of Iligan City expressed his warmed welcome to the visitors, guests and the people of Iligan City who participated the event. Regencia expressed his commitments of extending help to evacuees with at least 100,000 Internally displaced people (IDPs) who are victims of the Marawi crisis now temporarily stayed in Iligan City evacuation centers. Regencia a former Police officer said he is not anti-Muslim, not anti-Moro and not anti-Maranao but he is anti-criminal and anti-terrorist ensures in maintaining peace and order of Iligan city despite the crisis in neighboring city of Marawi.

Iligan City Vice Mayor Jemar Vera Cruz, a Priest on sabbatical leave, in his message said peace is not only the absence of war but the most important factor is to achieve genuine peace. Vera Cruz said genuine peace is to have better understanding across different cultures, good relations and respect among the people united despite diversity.   

L-r: USEC Andot; Vice Mayor Vera Cruz & City Councilor Plando

OPAPP Undersecretary (USEC) Diosita T. Andot, extended her thanks to the Local government unit (LGU) of Iligan City headed by Mayor Regencia of hosting plenty of IDPs in Iligan City and maintaining peace and order, and security for the protection of its people.

There is the presence of a strong family relationship to serve those relatives who are victims of Marawi crisis but in reality the host family will also have their own needs to survive. That’s why the government and the private sector have established cooperation because the government cannot work alone and needs help. She appreciated the LGU of Iligan of epitomizes what is peace in each heart of a person. It is a respect to others despite diverse cultures.  

USEC Diosita T. Andot, OPAPP

She extended her thanks to the people who help the IDPs affected the crisis in Marawi. The OPAPP gave peace citation award to Mayor Celso Regencia in appreciation of his peace efforts in behalf of the people of Iligan City. The Cordillera Regional government also offered the symbol of unity for the people of Mindanao.

Ms. Samira Gutoc, representing the CSOs, extended her thanks to the Iligan City government hosted at least 100,000 evacuees. She prayed for the freedom of the remaining hostages, 40 women and 30 men, under the hands of the terrorist Maute group. Hoping for a concluded crisis in Marawi so that they get back home. The Muslims are people of peace in every breath greets peace early in the morning daily.

Col. James Enriquez (left); Dr. Ali Laguindab (right)

Dr. Ali P. Laguindab, a Traditional leader (Sultan), academician and also an IDP, has a lot of learning insights. He said peace cannot be summoned but it should to do with peace. Love charity peace and good life. Marawi siege is just a beginning of something that have to learn.  There are challenges to go as one people. Sometimes ignore the commandments of God that allowed Marawi crisis happened. Before the siege Maranaos would like to go first especially in the bank before the others. But now here in Iligan city they will fall in line so there is learning of discipline.

Dr. Dipsy Maruhom (left); Jane Bernardo (2nd right)

Dr. Dipsy M. Maruhom, representing the Academe said her tears were already run-out. She hoped it will be the last bomb dropped in the morning in Marawi. She told to the people of iligan that Iligan and Marawi are one, during her elementary years in the 1960s the center of government was in Marawi, all major offices were in Marawi, the center of education was in Marawi. There was the Lanao School of Arts and Trade (LSAT) and the Lumbatan Agricultural College (LAC), the first President of LAC was the grandfather of Senator Teofisto Guingona III. The people from Iligan City will go up in Marawi to go on study. Marawi is the summer capital of the south, a beautiful place with hospitable people.

Atty. Dexter Rey Sumaoy

A Woman IDP representative expressed her sentiments said they have no choice but to stay in the evacuation center for their safety. As of now they already understand their situation to be in the evacuation center rather than stay in Marawi without nothing to eat. Youth representative, a student of the Mindanao State University (MSU) appreciated the Moro history of Mindanao started in the early 1970s up to the present. He preferred to continue his studies and still dreaming for the better future of the Bangsamoro especially hoping for the better Bangsamoro governance.  

Signature campaign for peace was conducted after the program with Atty. Dexter Rey Sumaoy, Iligan City Administrator, first signed the peace covenant followed by the CSOs, women, youth, among others. Food fair display at the freedom park were mostly IDPs entrepreneur. Children IDPs were also had a slogan writing contest initiated by the Balay Integrated Response for Total Human Development (BIRTHDEV) with ECOWEB, Inc. led the conduct of the program. Photo by Jun Enriquez; FB: Iligan City Web; with reports by Joan Eslit)