Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., and Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya lead the ringing of Peace Bell at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City on Sunday, September 1, 2024 in celebration of the National Peace Consciosuness Month. Also in photo are Bangsamoro Liason Office Metro Manila Director Gafur Kanain, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Chief Representative Sakamoto Takema, KAPATIRAN Chairperson Veronica Tabara, and Quezon City Assistant City Administrator Alberto Quimpo. (Noel B. Pabalate)
Promoting and seeking unity and peace are not only the responsibility of the national government but also of the Filipino people, a ranking official said on Sunday, Sept. 1, as the country marks the celebration of the National Peace Consciousness Month.
Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr. said the peace consciousness month is not just an occasion that should be celebrated but a time for reflection on the collective desire to encourage all Filipinos to play an active role in upholding the country’s peace and harmony.
“Winning the peace is not just the responsibility of the government alone. It takes whole-of-nation, whole-of-society. It takes everyone to make this happen. Everyone must be part of the process,” said Galvez during the Ringing of the Peace Bell ceremony in Quezon City for this month’s celebration of the National Peace Consciousness Month.
“Each and every one of us has a role to play in the complete and genuine transformation of our society. This transformation begins when we shift our mindset from fear, anger, and revenge to empathy, forgiveness, and mercy, from mistrust to understanding, and from division to unity,” he added.
The peace bell that was used on Sunday’s ceremony, according to Galvez, was was donated by the World Peace Bell Association, a Japanese organization promoting awareness of the world peace movement.
This was turned over by former President Fidel V. Ramos to the Quezon City government in 1994.
On the other hand, the September was declared National Peace Consciousness Month through Proclamation No. 675 in 2004 which mandates the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process to lead the observance and enjoin all government agencies and offices, private sector, and civil society groups to participate in the annual peace celebration.
“As we have done over the past two decades, our peace month celebration begins with the ringing of the peace bell. Everything starts with that powerful sound,” said Galvez.
Galvez then urged the Filipinos to do their share in the promotion of unity and peace, saying this is the time to demonstrate a greater commitment to our country’s peace, healing, and unity.
“Everyone is invited to actively participate in this year’s national peace consciousness month celebrations. From the peace education summit, constituency building, forums and debates, and community service activities, everybody should get involved,” said Galvez.
“As the month of September unfolds, let us all come together and work hand in hand to push forward, build on, and sustain the gains of peace we have achieved over the years. It is my earnest hope that during the celebration of National Peace Consciousness Month, we will be able to highlight the peace gains we have started to reap and will continue to harvest in the coming years,” he added.