On July 20, 2004, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo declared September as National Peace Consciousness Month. By way of Presidential Proclamation No. 675, an annual celebration spearheaded by the government through the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process which started that same year continues to mark the people’s dreams, aspirations and efforts toward building a peaceful and prosperous nation. Year in, year out - the month-long observance of peace serves as a reminder that transformation begins in the hearts of the Filipino people. From the government administration to local government units, down to the civil society organizations and public majority – all are major peace stakeholders who can be part of the force that will bring empowerment in pursuing the peace process.
Why September?
In our country’s long-running pursuit of peace, the month of September plays a major role. A number of peace milestones happened during this particular time of the year. Included in this list are the following:
Sept. 13, 1986 – Signing of the peace agreement between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army
Sept, 1, 1992 – Creation of the National Unification Commission which studied and recommended the adoption of the comprehensive peace process
Sept. 15, 1993 – Creation of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process thru Executive Order No. 125
Sept. 2, 1996 – Signing of the Final Peace Agreement between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Moro National Liberation Front
Sept. 19, 2000 – Launching of 2001-2010 International Decade for Culture of Peace and Non-violence for the Children of the World
Sept. 21, 2000 – International Day of Peace as declared by the United Nations
Objectives
In celebration of the peace month, OPAPP aims to achieve the following objectives through different activities and events:
- Engage the Filipinos in involving themselves in the peace process
- Instill in the Filipinos the desire to have just and lasting peace
- Promote the achievements of the government’s peace-building initiatives
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