Beacons of peace, agents of genuine transformation

As we celebrate this year’s National Peace Consciousness Month with the theme “Mapayapang Bukas, Abot-Kamay sa Bagong Pilipinas,” we are seeing that peace is no longer a dream or aspiration but is now a reality that is unfolding across the nation.

- SECRETARY CARLITO G. GALVEZ, JR.

The conduct of Peace Month, which was launched in 2004 through Proclamation No. 675, is helping to shape this reality by promoting the culture of peace, mutual understanding and solidarity among Filipinos.

Through this annual event, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) seeks to send out the message that peacebuilding is not the responsibility of the government alone but of each and every Filipino.

I am both awed and inspired to witness this remarkable transformation take place, especially in the lives of individuals who were once displaced by war and those who were previously engaged in armed struggle.

Two stories stand out for me — that of Ferdinand “Toy” Maliwanag, a former rebel who now serves as mayor of Mansalay in Oriental Mindoro, and Farisah Abas, a former ‘bakwit’ who now leads a women’s cooperative in Maguindanao del Norte.

I had the honor of meeting Mayor Maliwanag during the PAMANAHAN event organized by OPAPRU's Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) Program last week and I can truly say that he is a person who walks his talk.