SECRETARY ROMULO LEADS CELEBRATION OF MINDANAO WEEK OF PEACE

26 November 2007  – In a reaffirmation of the Philippines' commitment to peacebuilding, Foreign Affairs Secretary Dr. Alberto G. Romulo led ASEAN and Organization of the Islamic Conference diplomats, government peace negotiators, government officials, religious leaders and civil society representatives in celebrating Mindanao Week of Peace in Manila.

Secretary Romulo underscored the "collective efforts" of the Philippine Government and civil society to "further advance interfaith dialogue" during a briefing on interfaith dialogue and cooperation held at the Department to commemorate Mindanao Week of Peace.

Secretary Romulo stressed during the briefing that all stakeholders in the Philippines are "united in a common vision and our single desire to further broaden the frontiers of peace in our country and beyond".

"Nurtured by our civil society, cared for by our men and women of faith, and supported by our government, peace has taken root firmly and deeply in the hearts and minds of our people, " Secretary Romulo explained.

Secretary Romulo lauded the civil society's continuing and important role in further consolidating the gains of peacebuilding and interfaith dialogue.

Members of the civil society gave presentations on the history and future directions of interfaith dialogue and cooperation. These included Rev. Fr. Eliseo Mercado Jr. of the National Peace Council (NPC), Bishop Hilarion Gomez of the Bishops-Ulama Conference (BUC) and the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP), Bishop Efraim Tendero of the Interfaith Commission, Ms. Marites Africa of the Peacemaker's Circle.

Assistant Secretary Evelyn Florina Daplas of the Office of the Presidential Assistant on the Peace Process (OPAPP) also gave updates on the Philippine Government's peace processes.

Following the briefing, Secretary Romulo opened a photo exhibit entitled "Peace and Peace Initiatives," that showcases Philippine initiatives to promote peace and harmony at the local and international fora.

Among such initiatives are Philippine efforts to promote interfaith cooperation and understanding for peace as well as efforts to draw attention to promote progress and development in the Mindanao region.

The exhibit likewise features winners of the 2007 Peace Consciousness month Poster-Making Contest.

The exhibit, conducted in partnership with OPAAP and the Presidential Council for Values Formation, also features photos submitted by Philippine foreign service posts and will run for the duration of the Mindanao Week of Peace from November 29 to December 05, 2007.

Presidential Proclamation 127 s. of 2001 mandates the annual commemoration of the Mindanao Week of Peace. DFA serves as the Chair of the National Committee on Interfaith Cooperation, with OPAPP as Co-Chair and PCVF as Secretariat . END.

/Gary