Mindanao Peace Week kicks off today with peace caravan in Basilan

• Source: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1421479977463/mindanao-peace-week-kicks-off-today-with-peace-caravan-in-basilan
• Thursday, November 24, 2016

By Rene V. Carbayas (ALT/RVC/PIA9-Basilan)

ISABELA CITY, Basilan, Nov 24 (PIA) – The annual Mindanao Week of Peace celebration kicks off today (Thursday) with a Peace Caravan along the Basilan Circumferential Road and culminates with the launching program in Lamitan City.

Basilan Governor Jim S. Hataman Salliman said pursuant to Proclamation No. 127, series of 2001, the last Thursday of November up to the first Wednesday of December of every year thereafter, is declared as Mindanao Week of Peace.

“The celebration is done for the constituents and also to raise the consciousness of the community members on the importance of the culture of peace,” the governor said.

The local observance of the peace week adopted the theme “Ikaw, Ako, Tayo, Kapit-Bisig para sa Kapayapaan.”

Various sectors from government and non-government organizations are expected to participate in the peace caravan, which will start at the Basilan National High School Grandstand and end with a program at Datu Dizal Cultural Center in Lamitan City.

Other municipalities will also go on a caravan from their point of origin and everyone will converge in Lamitan City.

ARMM Regional Governor Mujiv S. Hataman, Anak Mindanao Representative Sitti Djalia T. Hataman, and LtGen. Mayoralgo M. Dela Cruz, commanding officer of Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom) are expected to grace the occasion.

Meanwhile, Nagdilaab Foundation Inc. (NFI) Executive Director Miriam Suacito said that a peace concert will cap the peace week on November 30 at the Basilan State College featuring local bands together with special invited performers, probablys Asin and Noel Cabahug.

NFI has been the partner of the LGUs in Basilan in implementing programs and projects that promote peace and development.