Lanao Norte's rido capital hosts this year’s month of Peace

NUNUNGAN, Lanao del Norte —This year's annual month of peace observance in Lanao del Norte is being held in the so-called rido capital in the province.

Since 2004, the province has designated March of every year as the month of peace.  This year's observance is significant as the month-long event is being held in Nunungan, considered the province's rido capital.

“We are pleased to host the yearly observance of the Lanao Month of Peace as our town had been tagged as rido capital of Lanao del Norte and as such had been deprived of development for the past three decades,” said Mayor Marcos Mamay in his address during at the opening of the occasion.

Also, he noted that during his first term as mayor, his peace efforts were recognized by the United Nations, and in May 2017, Nunungan got also the distinction of most promising municipality in the whole country.

Nunungan, he said, has already evolved into a peace-loving community from the one characterized by violence, stemming from family feuds.

Moreover, he said that the month-long celebration of peace also served as an occasion to foster closer relationship among Muslims and Christians populace of Lanao Del Norte.

^{Delegates to the Lanao Month of Peace doing the Panagtagbo sa Kalinaw (Convergence for peace) in the town of Nunungan, Lanao del Norte. Stakeholders composed of LGU, Academe, Military, Peoples Organization, CSOs, religious and other sectors of the community. --M. Revales}

The Pakigdait Incorporated, an interfaith grassroots peace building non-governmental organization with the provincial government, led by various stakeholders collectively shared and joined in the activity dubbed “PANAGTAGBO SA KALINAW” (convergence for peace), with the theme “Sustaining the Gains of the Peace Processes and Stability in Lanao del Norte for Social Justice.”   

Musa Sanguila, director of Pakigdait Incorporated in his message said “we are celebrating the month of peace since 2004, transforming the declaration of an all-out war against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front into an all-out effort for peace."

For his part, Secretary Datu Abul khayr Alonto, chairperson of Mindanao Development Authority said that MDA is willing to provide projects and assistance for the development of Nunungan.

^{Stakeholders of the Lanao month of peace (R-L) Mayor Marcos Mamay, Vice Mayor Jun Casawa (in blue polo shirt,Board Member Tawa Cauntongan,Col Abdul Rak Bin Mat,head of International Monitoring Team, Secretary Datu Abul Khayr D. Alonto, Pastor Stephen Villaester and Musa Sanguila, director of Pakigdait. Former Mayor of Pulas Cabib Tanog, in a black jacket at the back line and Mira Pimping, (black T-shirt, MNLF top 90).}

—Mariz Revales/LBG, GMA News