MANILA: As the country marks the start of National Peace Consciousness Month (NPCM), Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. on Sunday urged Filipinos to play an active role in the country’s peacebuilding process.
In his message, Galvez said the month-long celebration is a ‘clarion call for collective action.’
‘It reminds us that peacebuilding starts within each one of us – the way we think, the way we feel, and the way we act. This shift in mindset and attitude creates a ripple effect that enables us to help shape our communities, organizations and our nation,’ Galvez said.
The retired military official emphasized that Peace Consciousness Month is not just an annual celebration but a ‘movement that invites all Filipinos to own our nation’s peace.’
‘By helping to promote the culture of peace, each of us can play a key role in co-creating a positive transformation of our society. And this transformation shall begin and take root when we turn fear, anger, and rev
enge into empathy, forgiveness, and mercy, from mistrust to understanding, and from division to unity,’ the peace adviser said.
September was declared National Peace Consciousness Month by Proclamation No. 675 dated July 20, 2004.
The proclamation mandates the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process to lead the observance and enjoin all government agencies and offices, private sector, and civil society groups to participate in the annual peace celebration.
On Sunday morning, Galvez led the ceremonial tolling of the peace bell in Quezon City as part of the opening activities for the NPCM celebration.
This year’s theme is ‘Peace Month @ 20: Bagong Pilipinas – Transforming Minds, Transforming Lives.’
Galvez said genuine and long-lasting peace is no longer a distant dream and is now ‘within our reach if we work together, transforming our minds and lives so that we become beacons of hope, mutual understanding and unity.’
‘As President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has said, ‘Brave may be those who
wage wars, but braver are those who seek peace and win that peace’,’ Galvez said.
Marcos is set to lead the opening ceremony of the NPCM at the Malacañan Palace in Manila on Monday, as well as the commemoration of the 28th anniversary of the 1996 peace accord with the Moro National Liberation Front.
Source: Philippines News Agency
