THE Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) has honored three individuals and one local government unit (LGU) with the “Gawad Kapayapaan” awards during National Peace Consciousness Month.
The recipients were Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, Prof. Miriam Coronel Ferrer, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace negotiator Ghazali Jaafar, and the municipal government of Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte.
In his remarks Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Carlito Galvez emphasized the importance of “collective and lifelong commitments to peace.”
He highlighted the significant role of women, citing Ferrer’s achievements in peace negotiations.
Pangandaman expressed her deep personal connection to peace efforts in Mindanao, saying that the quest for peace is for future generations.
“We must remember that National Peace Consciousness Month is not only an annual celebration. Most importantly, it is a clarion call to all that the pursuit of peace must be an inclusive, integrated, and collective effort,” Galvez said.
“Just as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said, peace is not a day-long, week-long, or month-long commitment. It is the commitment of a lifetime,” he added.
Galvez also recognized the invaluable role women leaders play in the country’s peace-building initiatives.
“We saw that Miriam Coronel has been very vital in the peace process. She even garnered the most-coveted (Ramon) Magsaysay Award, and she’s the first Filipina, the first ever woman who became chief negotiator. Around the globe, she’s the only woman who made a significant dent in the negotiation,” Galvez noted.
The “Gawad Kapayapaan” recognizes individuals and organizations for their significant contributions to achieving lasting peace, reflecting a dedication to the peace-building process. Awardees were chosen based on their credibility, experience, and contributions to peace efforts.
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