'Making Every Endeavor a Channel of Peace'

Let's give peace a chance by making every endeavor a channel of peace suggested La Carlota City Councilor Jacky Jalandoni in his message in a simple rites conducted recently by the city government of La Carlota to celebrate the 8th national peace month of September.

Photo Credits: www.gov.ph

The ceremony dubbed as "Lighting a candle for peace" is solemnly done to truthfully reveal how the Mangkasanon, the legendary inhabitants of La Carlota upheld peace, which eventually has made the city, "a peaceful place to live in."

This was one the activities of the city government of La Carlota to celebrate the peace month that reminds everyone the importance of peace especially there's ongoing "peace process" between the rebel group and the government. 

September is chosen by the PH government as the peace month for there were several significant milestone in the history of pursuing the peace process in the country as stated in Proclamation No. 675, declaring the month of September 2004 and every year thereafter as "National Peace Consciousness Month".

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) secretary Teresita Quintos Deles in a press release from PH government site states that the government in its theme ‘Ako. Ikaw. Tayo. Magkakaiba, Nagkakaisa sa Kapayapaan’ "is intended to raise awareness among Filipinos on the need to advance the government's ongoing peace process with Moro and communist rebel group and promote a culture of peace among Filipinos."

Why September?

The month of September has national and international significance as far as peace is concerned.

On National Significance:

• September 1, 1992 - National Unification Commission was created by virtue of Executive Order No. 19 to undertake nationwide consultations in 1992–1993 to lay the foundations of the Philippine Government’s agenda for a just, comprehensive and lasting peace


• September 2, 1996 - Signing of a Final Peace Agreement by the Philippine Government and the Moro National Liberation Front


• September 13, 1986 - Signing of a Peace Pact, or “Sipat” by the Philippine Government and the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army


• September 15, 1993 - Issuance of Executive Order No. 125 in September 15, 1993 by then Pres. Fidel V. Ramos which provided for the administrative and policy structure to pursue the NUC-proposed comprehensive peace process agenda, including the creation of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process

On International significance:

• Annual observance of the United Nations’ International Day of Peace on September 21


• Launching of the 2001–2010 International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World on September 19, 2000


• Commemoration of the September 11, 2001 terrorist bombings in the United States of America which roused not only the world, but the Philippines as well, to take firm action against the horrors of international and domestic terrorism.

Peace advocate of La Carlota City

La Carlota City Peace Celebration

In a simple rites, the La Carlota City observes the 9th National Peace Consciousness Month by lighting a candle for peace.

For the Mangkas, the legendary name of La Carlota or the Mangkasanon, by lighting a candle they are severally united for a giving a peace a chance.

Jalandoni expressed in his message to give peace a chance by making every endeavor a channel of peace.

Jalandoni's entire message:

The city of government of La Carlota desires peace because we seek for a stable government where every member of the community enjoys the freedom from violence and fear. The attainment of a peaceful environment for La Carlota is realized through the harmonious relationship between the public leaders and the people. Government leaders then must gain the support of the public not because they demand it but because they earn the respect of their constituents. With credible leadership, the people rejoice and public servants are encouraged to work more.

When the city government is responsive to the needs of the community, there is a little chance for violence and criminality to prevail. The declining crime incidence in the city for the past few years is attributed to the good leadership of the local chief executive and the efficiency of our local police force and the Scout Rangers, Philippine Army - making La Carlota City a peaceful place to live in.

Peace is giving the public its due. Therefore, our City Mayor Juliet Marie D. Ferrer takes earnest efforts and provides valuable resources to implement programs on social services, education, health, and other undertakings that will redound to the welfare of the people most especially the marginalized sector. Peace is giving equal privileges and preferential option to the underprivileged.

As we celebrate the National Peace Consciousness Month, let's  give peace a chance by making our every endeavor a channel of peace.

---

"All we are saying...give peace a chance," John Lennon.