BANGUED—Peace initiatives of various sectors in the province are progressing despite apparent indifference of some political personalities, said a Catholic bishop here.
Bishop Leopoldo Jaucian cited the recent signing of a peace covenant by various sectors aimed at addressing poverty in the countryside and benefitting the youth.
“We have to continue closely working together with the different sectors in the province for us to achieve our long overdue dream of having lasting peace. We have to be vigilant on the latest trends of our peace initiatives for us to keep track of the latest developments against our efforts to curb violence, especially with the upcoming May 2016 political exercise,” Jaucian stressed.
He added the Diocese of Abra already reached out to politicians who failed to actively participate in the signing of the peace covenant for them to embrace the same.
The political camps have said they support the initiative and they are open to signing the covenant.
The bishop added, however, that the road to lasting peace in Abra is long. “It will come once the people of Abra are able to open their eyes to the truth that violence is the major deterrent to peace.”
According to him, the efforts of young Abrenios to achieve peace is for the benefit of the future generations. “They will be the ones to reap the fruits of peace which are robust economic growth and improved sources of livelihood for the people.”
Abra recorded zero election-related violence in the May 2013 mid-term elections.