LEGAZPI CITY – Bb. Pilipinas Grand International 2017 and National Peace Ambassadress Elizabeth Clenci joined the Peace Buzz in Legazpi City, Albay as part of the peace caravan, which aims to deliver the message of peace across the country.
The Local government of Legazpi City welcomed the Peace Buzz with the “Albayanong Jovenes Kasaro Para sa Katoninongan” or Walk for Peace around the city proper. Personnel from the different security groups, and scholars of Daraga Community College joined the peace walk.
During the opening activity held in the provincial capitol, Deputy Presidential Peace Adviser Undersecretary Nabil Tan underscored the significance of the Peace Buzz’s journey.
“The Peace Buzz signifies our collective journey to peace. Ang paglalakbay na ito ay para iparating sa lahat ang mahalagang mensahe ng kapayapaan. Lahat tayo ay dapat kumilos upang makamit ang kapayapaan sa ating bansa. Ang bawat hakbang ay hakbang para sa kapayapaan (This journey is to bring the message of peace to all our countrymen. All of us must take part in bringing peace to our country. Every step is a step for peace.) Peace won’t be achieved by the government alone but by all the stakeholders, the Filipino people,” he said.
Police Chief Inspector and Chief of Police Community Relations Elvide Esparrago of the Albay Provincial Police encouraged all citizens of Albay and fellow Filipinos to become protectors of peace.
“For several years, war and conflict destroyed and claimed many precious lives of our fellow Filipinos in which both sides are losers, but we still don’t learn any lesson from it. So this time we are calling Albayanos and all Filipino people to give peace a chance to reign in our hearts and in ourselves, and denounce armed conflict, and become agents and protectors of peace even in its simplest ways,” he said.
For her part, Clenci reminded the youth participants to always be informed and updated by the progress on the peace process in the country.
“By equipping ourselves with the basic knowledge and facts of the peace process in our country, we are strengthening our government’s efforts to eradicate the spread of harmful ideologies and violent extremism,” she said.
Clenci emphasized that peace must start within ourselves and we must teach our children early so that the value of peace will be ingrained even until they grow up.
“Peace start within our homes. We must teach our children to do simple acts of kindness to other people, so that eventually they can start a culture of peace in their communities,” she said.
The Bb. Pilipinas read a story called “Ang Itim na Pusa” for the children of Sagrada Familia as part of the Kids Peace Tour and Story-telling. She also adopted the role of a big sister and brought the kids along to visit different tourist spots in Albay.
In the afternoon, a Youth Peace Conversation with the students of Bicol University was conducted. It provided a venue for the youth of Legazpi to air their ideas on how to actively participate in the peace process and peace building in the country.
The Peace Buzz is a caravan that will travel nationwide to showcase and highlight the peace building efforts of the government and provide updates on the progress of the peace process. The Peace Buzz will drop by key cities to engage and collaborate more with different stakeholders.
The Peace Buzz started its kick off in Baguio City wherein a whole day of peace activities where conducted. This includes the offering of prayer for Marawi to be brought in Iligan City, where the persons displaced by the conflict are currently staying. Other activities in Baguio include a motorcade with Baguio Bikers’ Association as a sign of support and commitment for peace in the country.
After its kick off in Baguio City, the Peace Buzz was welcomed by the local government of Quezon City with the Ceremonial Ringing of the World Peace Bell. The Peace Buzz will be making stops in Catarman Provincial Capitol, Catbalogan City, Butuan City, Davao City, and will conclude in Iligan City. (OPAPP)
