Question & AnswerQ&A (PROCLAMATION NO. 675)
Proclamation No. 675 declares the month of September 2004 and every year thereafter as the "National Peace Consciousness Month."
Executive Order No. 3, s. 2001 is referenced, which mandates a comprehensive peace process along six major peace-making and peace-building components known as the Six Paths to Peace.
The Six Paths to Peace include: 1) Pursuit of social, economic and political reforms to address root causes of armed conflicts; 2) Consensus-building and empowerment for peace through consultations and participation; 3) Peaceful, negotiated settlement with rebel groups and implementation of peace agreements; 4) Reconciliation, reintegration and rehabilitation of former rebels and their communities; 5) Addressing concerns from armed conflicts, such as protection of non-combatants and reducing impact on communities; 6) Building and nurturing a climate conducive to peace through education, advocacy, and confidence-building measures.
The observance period was moved to September to allow more active participation from the citizenry and institutions, including educational institutions, and to expand the observance from a week to a month-long celebration.
Significant milestones include: creation of the National Unification Commission on September 1, 1992; issuance of Executive Order No. 125 on September 15, 1993; signing of a Final Peace Agreement with the Moro National Liberation Front on September 2, 1996; and signing of a peace pact with the Cordillera People's Liberation Army on September 13, 1986.
International events include the United Nations International Day of Peace on September 21, launching of the 2001-2010 International Decade for Culture of Peace and Non-Violence on September 19, 2000, and commemoration of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) is designated as the lead government agency to coordinate and monitor the observance.
Proclamation No. 675 supersedes Proclamation No. 161, series of 2002, which had established the National Peace Consciousness Week.
All concerned government agencies and instrumentalities including local government units, government-owned and controlled corporations, as well as members of the private sector and civil society groups are enjoined and encouraged to participate.
The aims are to instill greater consciousness and understanding among Filipino people on the comprehensive peace process, strengthen and sustain support for peace efforts, and promote the Culture of Peace based on nonviolence, respect for rights, tolerance, understanding, and solidarity.