PHILIPPINES’ GLOBAL DAY OF CITIZEN ACTION:

A Call for Freedom and Peace for All

Mariefe Del Mundo

The Caucus of Development NGO Networks (CODE-NGO), in partnership with Civicus World Alliance for Citizen Action Participation (CIVICUS), gathered for the Global Day of Citizen Action (GDCA) with an event titled, “A Call for Freedom and Peace for All” at the Peace Bell, Quezon Memorial Circle, Quezon City last May 16, 2015. The GDCA is a global campaign that raises awareness about the need to protect freedoms and civic space.  Events in more than 50 countries were held during the GDCA.  CODE-NGO also highlighted support for peace in Mindanao and the approval of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) and the proposed Sustainable Development Goals, specifically goal 16 which is to ‘promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels’. 

A total of 185 participants coming from urban groups, peace advocates and children and youth organizations in Metro Manila were brought together to voice out their support for the freedom to speak out, organize and take action, especially for the freedom to speak and act on the peace process. 

During the event, there were booths where the participants were invited to write their messages about freedom to speak out and to sign post cards addressed to legislators from both the Senate and the House of the Representative urging them to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) which is faithful to the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB). 

The program started by the “Walk for Freedom and Peace for All”, where the participants marched around the Peace Bell up to the front of the Philippine Coconut Authority, Commonwealth Ave., Quezon City, to get people’s attention and to show how dedicated they are in their advocacy for peace and also for the passing of the Bangsamoro Basic Law. During the walk, people were shouting, “Sigaw ng Pilipino, Bangsamoro Basic Law” (Cry of the Filipino, Bangsamoro Basic Law); “BBL, Ipasa, Now na!” (Pass the BBL, Now!). 

After the walk, people were gathered again around the Peace Bell and serenaded by Mr. Noel Cabangon, a well known peace advocate and artist, of which his songs call for genuine and lasting peace for all. After those heartfelt songs for peace, many key personalities from different organizations such as Andrea Maria Patricia Sarenas of CODE-NGO, Isagani Abunda of All Out Peace Movement, James Alih of AKBAYAN Youth, Ninian Sumadia of Koalisyon ng Mamayan para sa Reporma (KOMPRE) Youth, Karen Tanada of GZO Peace Institute, Bai Rohaniza Sumndad-Usman of Teach Peace Build Peace, and Jose Morales of Urban Poor Alliance, shared their solidarity messages which inspired a lot of people, especially the Filipino youth.

To end the meaningful event, all participants were gathered to dance together for freedom, peace and development. It was amazing how one community dance can unite all people in order to achieve the goal of having peaceful and inclusive societies.

Other articles about the event may be accessed from these links:

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/691824/pro-bbl-groups-unfazed-by-poll

http://www.rappler.com/move-ph/93561-groups-pass-bbl-gdca-2015

Photos of the event may be viewed from this link:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.957630094271149.1073741880.150212781679555&type=3

Mariefe Del Mundo is the Project Manager of the Decentralized Governance Project of CODE-NGO and Misereor. She led the events management of GDCA in the Philippines.