Zambo joins IHL Walk for Humanity

• Source: http://zamboangatimes.ph/top-news/21723-zambo-joins-ihl-walk-for-humanity.html
• Monday, August 14, 2017 11:49

By Dexter Yap

Thousands of participants young and old alike flocked to Paseo del Mar last Saturday to participate in the annual conduct of Walk for Humanity which is on its 14th year already.

The event coincided with the celebration of the International Humanitarian Law in the entire world in which the Philippine Red Cross was the lead agency in the said event.

People from all walks of life and from the various sectors of the city gathered together early dawn along Nuñez extension which is the starting point of the activity, then walked towards Gov.Alvarez Avenue, to Mayor Climaco Avenue, to NS Valderoza Street then ended in Paseo del Mar where a short program was held.

The office of the President in 1999 issued an Executive Order 134 declaring August 12 as International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Day to commemorate the signing of the 1949 Geneva Conventions. The Philippine Red Cross took step further by designating the whole month of August as IHL month. The National Ad Hoc Committee on IHL has approved the theme for this year’s celebration “IHL: Pagsulong ng International Humanitarian Law, Pananagutan ng Lahat”.

Philippine Red Cross Governor and Congressman Celso Lobregat who graced the occasion was overwhelmed over the response and support of all sectors of society here in the city for IHL.

“I am very inspired seeing thousands of people who flocked together here in Paseo, to give your support to IHL, humanitarian law should be respected in times of peace and war, because even wars have limits if we invoke the provisions of IHL,” Lobregat said.

Congressman Lobregat also elaborated the importance of respecting human rights in times of war, especially here in Mindanao where martial law is still declared due to present conflicts in nearby provinces.

The solon also lauded Red Cross Zamboanga City chapter board of directors headed by Chairperson Dr. Milagros Fernandez for initiating the said activity.

Lobregat said that the IHL walk is a humanitarian endeavor for a cause with good intentions for the benefit of humanity as the prime mission of the Philippine Red Cross