QUEZON CITY -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) led by its Office for Mindanao Affairs (OMA) joins the nation in observance of the 25th year celebration of the Mindanao Week of Peace.

DAR Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III said the week-long celebration is a reminder for all Filipinos – regardless of one’s status in life, religion, or culture – should always strive to achieve lasting peace, unity and harmony.

“We are all Filipinos, whatever our faith, or political and religious affiliations. When we are united as one nation, we can achieve genuine sustained national development,” Estrella said.

Estrella said that he has faith that lasting peace can be achieved in Mindanao since President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. is bent on sustaining the gains of the comprehensive Philippine peace process.

He added that the mandate of the President to enhance peace and development in Mindanao, which was once besieged by wars and conflicts, has been set into motion and is gaining traction.

Amihilda J. Sangcopan, DAR-OMA Undersecretary said that the country needs more peace warriors that will fortify the peacebuilding initiatives under the Marcos administration’s banner of unity.

“Nothing that is great comes easy, but by truly uniting for a common goal, I strongly believe that even the impossible can be achieved. Peace in Mindanao will not only depend on the action of our government, it also rests heavily on the commitment of our fellow Mindanaoan who most aspire for it,” Sangcopan said.

Mindanao Week of Peace is celebrated from the last Thursday in November to the first Wednesday of December.

It is an annual celebration that started in 2001 through the Proclamation Order No. 127 issued by former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to “recognize the common aspirations of Mindanaoans to live in peace, unity and harmony with each other regardless of status in life, religion or culture.

The week also aims to bring people together to promote a peaceful atmosphere not only in Mindanao but throughout the country. (DAR)