Negros Occ. Gov. vows continued support for peace initiatives

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the provincial government is committed to supporting initiatives that promote sustainable peace for Negrenses.

“Through the years, we have been consistent in our stand that peace, to be true and lasting, it must be inclusive and sustainable; and must have an efficient mechanism structure, thus the whole-of-nation approach by the government,” Lacson said during the culmination of Negros Peace Month held at the Provincial Capitol lobby.

This year’s activity, themed “Building a Culture of Peace in Negros: Moving Forward Amidst Covid-19 Challenges”, is part of the observance of the National Peace Consciousness Month mandated under Proclamation No. 675.

The governor said he was pleased to see stakeholders and participants from various concerned Capitol departments as well as from the Philippine Army and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) take part in the event.

“Let this activity reinforce our mutual trust and confidence, for it is only through our sincere, solemn, and earnest partnership that sustainable peace can be achieved…On our end, I assure you that you can count on the provincial government’s consistent support,” he added.

Lacson led the turnover of projects to the five Community Defense Units of the Kapatiran para sa Progresibong Panlipunan (Kapatiran), composed of former members of the Rebolusyonaryong Partido Ng Manggagawa-Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade-Tabara Paduano Group (RPM-P/RPA-ABB-TPG), which signed a peace deal with the government in 2000.

Lacson said he is proud of the progress that Negros Occidental has made in relation to such peace agreement with the now Kapatiran, which received a total of 55 sacks of rice from the provincial government and hygiene and first aid kits from the OPAPP during the program.

The province also turned over P1 million worth of Covid-19-related projects to the Negros Occidental Parole and Probation Center.

“These are proof of our commitment and further, the various projects for our parole and probation office are testimonies of our faith in restorative rather than punitive justice,” Lacson said.

The governor also said that this year’s observance is distinct from the ones in the past since each one is facing a common enemy, the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

“May this pandemic remind us of our truth, that we are one people. Covid-19 knows no gender, no age, no sector, no politics,” he added.*