November 21, 2022. The Interfaith Forum for Solidarity and Peace (IFSP) in Pagadian held a Press Conference to formally announce to the public the celebration of the Mindanao Week of Peace from November 24 – December 1, 2022. This year’s theme: “Harnessing Peace Efforts towards Solidarity and Peace” reflects the Mindanaoans’ dreams and aspirations to live in peace, unity, and harmony with each other as Muslims, Christians, and Lumads.
It started with an Opening Statement read by Sr. Marjorie Guingona on behalf of the IFSP Convenors and members citing a brief background of the annual celebration coming from the Proclamation Order No. 127 by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as well as the continuing efforts of IFSP to come together in the task of peacebuilding especially here in Mindanao, a tri-peoples land where we long for peace that is not just the absence of war but the presence of job opportunities, food security, access to health and education and the active care and protection of creation by all. In short, it is a peace that covers the total well-being of all human-earth community.
The Press Conference was participated by several media stations: Malindang Broadcasting Network (MBN) Pagadian, DXPR, Radyo Kidlat, Radyo Agong, and RMN DXPL who covered the important peace messages given by the IFSP Convenors: Most Rev. Ronald Lunas, DD, Rev. Fr. Felix Tigoy, Pastor Loricel Beloy Bahia, Datu Amal Montaner Fermin. Pastor Rey Salvador acted as the moderator of the said press conference that took place from 2:00 to 4:00 in the afternoon at the Bishop’s House, Balangasan District.
May we all join hands in spreading awareness to spread peace and harmony by becoming bridges of dialogue, reconciliation, and solidarity and in so doing, become catalysts for social change especially here in our beloved Mindanao.
