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Saturday, December 06, 2003
Luli joins blood letting for peace
By Raquel C. Bagnol
FIRST daughter Luli Macapagal Arroyo joined the blood signing of the declaration of commitment to peace with the elders of the 39 tribes in Mindanao during the First Mindanao Indigenous People (IP) Elders Summit at Camp Alano in Toril, Davao City Friday.
"This gathering is relevant to national life, a true blessing at this time when too much negativism and conflict afflict our society. We need reconciliation and unity if we want progress for our country," said Luli, reading the message of President Arroyo to summit participants.
President Arroyo, through her daughter, said "we need to be united in attaining peace because if we will not heal the political divisions we now have, we cannot concentrate on changing society to have a better future."
The IP declaration of commitment contained nine points, which include pursuing of lasting peace in Mindanao; to commit loyalty to the Arroyo administration, to work in providing quality education by establishing a tertiary-level institution of learning for the children; to commit their efforts toward obtaining a reservation for the Mamanwa tribe, one of the more marginalized tribes in Mindanao; to support the Bagobo Supreme Council of Elder's decisions to make Mt. Apo a natural wildlife habitat and sanctuary; and to declare President Arroyo as "Biyya" (most beloved, most esteemed) of the 39 cultural communities in Mindanao.
"Please know that this government is one with you in pursuing a peace agenda. If we must survive, we must pursue peace," Luli said.
Based on the 1996 annual report of the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP), the IP population has reached 7.5 million and 33 percent or 2.5 million of these are in Region eleven.
Luli came in her mother's stead, who is said to be suffering from a fever and is resting in preparation for her coming state visit to Japan.
(December 6, 2003 issue)
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