NegOr POC to conduct Peace Forum to mark National Peace Month

By Jennifer C. Tilos

DUMAGUETE CITY, Aug 19 (PIA) --The Negros Oriental Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) will hold a Peace Forum along with other proposed activities to mark the National Peace Month in September. 

“It is our desire to solve insurgency and criminality problems through peaceful means by promoting peace initiatives,” Army Commander Col. Francisco Patrimonio of the 302 Infantry Brigade, in a PPOC meeting said. 

The peace forum will be participated in by the academe with four universities present in Dumaguete City, and may be simultaneously conducted also in Guihilngan City. 

On its 9th year observance of National Peace Consciousness Month, the PPOC will spearhead the month-long activity celebration with some proposed activities lined-up. 

It includes Run or Bike for Peace with town-to-town relay of runners; Art for Peace, a parade to be concluded with ecumenical service and program. 

The council also intends to undertake a tree planting with the police and military forces to lead the activity and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will provide the seedlings. Tree planting areas will be determined later. 

The peace activities aim to raise awareness in its efforts to engage the Negrense in the peace process and in the search for a just and lasting peace at the countryside. 

To finalize the peace activities, Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo assigned a technical working group to plan out the mechanics of the activities before September. 

Governor Degamo said this undertaking is significant to promote value of peace and unity in the province. 

The governor urged all are major peace stakeholders who can be part of the force that will bring empowerment in pursuing the peace process. (mbcn/JCT/PIA-Negros Oriental)