Peacemakers Fellowship set August 19
Amidst hostilities both in the national and global front, a Call for Peace is slated on August 19 at the New Provincial Capitol Ground. Spearheaded by the Iloilo Coalition of NGOs and POs (ICON), Inc. and the PEACE program of the University Outreach Center of Central Philippine University, the whole day activity will simultaneously start with a motorcade and foot parade at 9:00 a.m.
The motorcade will kick off from New Provincial Capitol Ground while the Foot Parade will start from three areas, namely: West Visayas State University, University of the Philippines-Iloilo City and Fort San Pedro to converge at the New Provincial Capitol Ground for the Opening Program, Photo Exhibit, Medical Mission, Blood Letting, Peace Forum, respective meetings/assemblies and fellowship of the students under the National Service Training Program (NSTP). Director Rinand Escuban, founding president of the Association of NSTP Coordinators in Western Visayas will deliver the Message of Peace. Escuban is concurrent director for Student Affairs of CPU.
An Interfaith Prayer Service and Signing of Unity Statement on Peace will start at 4:00 pm. This coincides with the launching of the 7th NGO-PO Week celebration by ICON, the umbrella network of NGOs and POs in the city and province of Iloilo mostly accredited by the government. The annual celebration has been institutionalized by the city and provincial ordinances in recognition of the role of NGOs and POs in nation building. City Mayor Jerry Treñas and Provincial Governor Niel Tupas, Sr. will lead the government officials who will take part in the program.. Evangelical bishops and leaders of the ecumenical council of mainstream protestant churches have signified their participation. Representatives of NGOs, POs, sectoral organizations, cause-oriented groups and the military will also take part in the program. A Peace Concert will start at 6:00 pm.
This year's theme is "Paghidaet: Kinahanglanon sang Nasyon, Palanublion sang Dason nga Henerasyon." It is both a call for opposing and warring parties to give peace more chances and an awareness-building for private citizens that they can contribute to the development of the country by advocating peace. Organizers of the activity have been alarmed over the spate of killings and the seemingly endless political and ideological squabbling in the country and the recent war in the Middle East. They express concern that if the trend continues, a culture of violence will be passed on to the next generation. In a press statement, ICON President Edwin I. Lariza invites other members of the civil society organizations, religious groups and individuals engage in welfare and development to join the group. "This is an attempt to build a community of peacemakers. We will form the Balangay Paghidaet. May God bless this endeavor," Lariza added.
Updates on the preparation related to the celebration have been aired in Angtanay sa Katin-aran" (The People's Development Network), a primetime CATV show aired live over Channel 8, Skycable every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday @ 7:30 pm with replays every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 12:00-2:00 pm. Interested parties who want to join the activity may contact the organizers at 09198757724.