OBYA lead peace week

Executive Director Salic Sharief, Jr of OBYA leads the “Plant of Peace” at the ORG Compound in Cotabato City during the culmination program of the “Mindanao Week of Peace” last November 28, 2016. (OBYA-ARMM / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

COTABATO CITY --- The Office on the Bangsamoro Youth Affairs (OBYA) of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) spearheaded the week-long activities of the “Mindanao Week of Peace” from November 24-28, 2016.

OBYA Ececutive Director Salic Sharief, Jr. said the autonomous regional government, being at the forefront of advocating peace and development not only in the region but in Mindanao and the entire country, conducted series of peace activities with the theme, “Healing for Personal and Social Transformation.”

Sharief said the OBYA lad the activities along with the locally funded agencies of the autonomous region, the Regional Sports Coordinating Office-ARMM, Bureau on Cultural Heritage-ARMM, and the Regional Commission on Bangsamoro Women-ARMM.

“Our peace activities included Run for Peace, Peace Forum, MorOlympics, Futsal (Exhibition Game), Literary & Musical Peace Concert, Museum of Peace, and Photo Exhibit and Video Presentation,” he said.

During the culmination activity last November 28, Sharief said their agency conducted a tree planting activity called “Plant for Peace.”

“Aside from the Plant for Peace, we also did the Message of Peace, Balloon Release, Sign for Peace activities,” he said.

Sharief said the activity is in pursuit to Presidential Proclamation No. 127 where the government recognizes the common aspirations of Mindanaons to live in peace, unity, and harmony with each other regardless of status in life, religion, or culture.

“In order to raise consciousness for a culture of peace among the constituents of Mindanao, there is a need to provide a venue for expression of peace aspirations in various forms and for convergence of peace initiatives. This is a perfect venue,” he said.

Accordingly, the last Thursday of November up to the first Wednesday of December of every year thereafter is declared as the Mindanao Week of Peace. All concerned government agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned and controlled corporations and members of the private sector and civil society based in Mindanao are enjoined and encouraged to engage in relevant and meaningful activities in celebration of the Mindanao Week of Peace in coordination with the Bishops-Ulama Forum. (GILMHAR A. LAO / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)