Source: Faith, Peace and Environment MWOP 2022
Annually since 2001 Mindanao observes weeklong peacetivities as spaces to continue efforts bridging gaps between and among communities and stakeholders in peace works in Mindanao. This comes after Presidential Proclamation 127 of the former President Gloria Arroyo was out gained from the grassroots people's movements and calls to end war and violence in Mindanao communities.
This year in Cotabato City the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Office of the Interim BTA MP Atty Suharto Ambolodto and various civil society and peace organizations that includes Tripeople's Organization against Disasters (TRIPOD) representing its peace and humanitarian network in the city and Maguindanao Provinces convened and together shape the Mindanao Week of Peace 2022 series of events from November 24-November 30, 2022.
On the 28th, TRIPOD and its partner organizations organized the Interfaith Peace Forum relating to ecological and climate concerns.
Reflecting from the very recent devastation brought by the tropical storm Paeng, resource persons and the community organizations present agreed that humans are duty-bound to protect and safeguard nature.
For an Islamic cleric Ustadj Faisal, Muslims are called to live by and with their faith. The scriptures of different faiths according to him commanded each believers to sow love and not hate and this is a must not only between and among humans but to all creations including nature.
Meanwhile, Minted Sa Inged member of Timuay Justice and Governance Allan Olubalang highlighted his tribe's beliefs and practices. He mentioned during the forum that for them there is no way that they are to destroy nature because nature is life or extension to their lives, identity and wholeness. And in nature they find peace.
To have a real-time context on typhoon Paeng three survivors were invited to the forum. Few of the many calls were offered by the survivors: dignified rehabilitation and recovery support, sustainable and ecological solutions and IDP-participatory process.
It was also presented in the exchange during the forum that Paeng's wrath should be an important input in shaping and implementing environmental and developmental policies in the BARMM.
The offices of the Cotabato City deputy mayor's (Christian Muslim, Indigenous People) graced the forum and have shared their perspectives too on how communities of diverse cultures live peacefully.
The Rosary Heights XI Brgy Captain Bhoy Ismael have shared how mutual respect and recognition of the differences are important and good governance. He is on his third term as Brgy Captain in a mixed people Barangay and his being a Muslim has never been a problem among constituencies. The Barangay is hoping for more partnerships on proactive measures and mechanisms related to displacements and conflicts.
Interim BTA Member of the Parliament Atty Suharto Ambolodto shared his reflections as part of the peace advocate communities way back 30 years ago. To him the gatherings like the forum must create more concrete and creative actions to respond to the situations and realities in the ground. He stressed out that the BARMM in transition must serve as the mechanism to bring peace to its real sense. And he also noted that People's participation, environment, cultures and inclusiveness be integral in all of the efforts.
TRIPOD as a Humanitarian, Human Rights and Peace champion environment concerns can never be separated anymore in peace building. And important component in shaping peace is the grassroots participation and empowerment while strengthening the solidarity and understanding between and among faiths and cultures.
The Forum was integral to the Humanitarian response of MIHANDS and Task Force Barat led by TRIPOD and network organization of the Indigenous Peoples in Maguindanao Provinces to provide spaces for the IDPs and Paeng survivors to express their issues and concerns.
The Forum then was complimented with a Sports for Peace (People's Solidarity thru Sports) in a creative psychosocial method led by the MIHANDS Psychosocial Support Team. Kids, Youth and Mothers shout out their laughter and sweat out their energies.
(29 Nov 2022/ Tëmindëg Tayo! InfoMed Team)
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