Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman on Thursday called for collective action to make Mindanao a place where peace will become a “lived reality.”

Pangandaman made the call, as she joined the nation in the observance of the Mindanao Week of Peace.

“This annual observance, which spans from November 28 to December 4, serves as a poignant reminder of our collective responsibility to promote peace, advocate for justice, and celebrate our shared heritage,” Pangandaman, a Maranao with roots from the south, said in a statement.

“Let this week not only serve as a reminder of our past struggles but also as a beacon of hope for our future endeavors. Together, let us continue to strive to create a flourishing Mindanao where peace is not just an aspiration but a lived reality,” she added.

Pangandaman said the week-long celebration is a time for reflection to acknowledge the challenges the region is currently facing, while it is celebrating the strides made to cultivate a peaceful society.

Considering the theme “Sustaining the Gains of Peace, Solidarity, and Resilience,” Pangandaman stressed the importance of inclusivity, mutual respect, and cooperation amid efforts to address the root causes of conflict and build a sustainable future for all Filipinos.

She also urged everyone to renew their commitment to the principles of peace and solidarity.

“We must recognize and support the roles of the national government, our local leaders, peacebuilders, and advocates who tirelessly work together toward reconciliation, peacebuilding, and healing. Our collective efforts are crucial to the ongoing development we are witnessing in Mindanao,” Pangandaman said.

“As we commemorate the Mindanao Week of Peace, I, together with the whole Department of Budget and Management family, reaffirm our commitment to fostering unity, understanding, and harmony among the diverse cultures and communities in this vibrant region, which is dear to my heart, soul, and my very core.”

Mindanao Week of Peace is celebrated from the last Thursday of November to the first Wednesday of December, by virtue of Proclamation 127 issued by former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2001 to “[recognize] the common aspirations of Mindanao to live in peace, unity and harmony with each other regardless of status in life, religion or culture.”

The week-long peace activity also aims to raise consciousness for a culture of peace among the peoples of Mindanao by providing a venue for expression of peace aspirations in various forms and for convergence of peace initiatives. (PNA)