THE OFFICE of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) launched the line-up of activities for National Peace Consciousness Month.
During the iSpeak forum on Aug. 31, Eastern Mindanao OPAPRU Atty. Elisa Lapiña said this year’s theme ‘Kapayapaan: Responsibilidad ng bawat mamamayan’ serves as a reminder that peace is a shared responsibility.
“Mag-celebrate ta nga more than a year nata sa Davao Region nga insurgency free. We need to remind ourselves nga dili lang gyud diay sya concern sa military ug government kundi responsibility sa matag usa para ma-sustain ang atong place,” Lapiña said.
The opening of the celebration is on Sept. 1 at the Royal Mandaya Hotel, graced by representatives coming from different provinces of the Davao Region.
On Sep. 11-13, a peace village will be installed at SM Ecoland, which is led by Peace 911 and Oparu with the Davao Light & Power Company. It will be a gallery showcasing the respective provinces’ peace gains and programs for their Friends Rescued (FR), referring to former rebels.
Meanwhile, Mindanao Peace Council will be running a Peace Fair at the NCCC Victoria Plaza from Sep. 19-21 which will showcase livelihood.
Lapiña urged the public to participate in the activities to be aware of their responsibility and what they can contribute to peace-building.
OPAPRU promotes
Transformation Program
Lapiña said in line with peacebuilding, the agency conducts a Transformation Program focused on helping the former rebels, including their family and community.
During the time of former Mayor Sara Duterte, one of the good practices of the city is to make the people resilient and turn them into peacemakers.
“Even ang mga FR dili na sila gusto mahimong beneficiary lang sila sa proyekto sa gobyerno, ang ilang gusto mahitabo maging partners, motabang sila unsaon pag capacitate sa ilang sarili, pamilya, community,” Lapiña said.
The lawyer revealed that one of the reasons why surenderees resumed their illegal activities was because they did not benefit from the programs prepared for them. “Para ma-sustain ang atong ginahimo, ang FR ang maghatag og direction sa kung unsa ilang gusto mahitabo sa ilahang life. Ingana atong ginatan aw nga mausab ang kinabuhi sa mga FR kanang dili na magbalik2x sa [illegal activities],” Lapiña said.
