ISABELA CITY, Basilan – The City Government of Isabela de Basilan, together with the Global United Nations Association of the Philippines (Global UNAP), formally launched the region’s first Global UNAP Peace Center.
The event was held at the Women Livelihood Training Center in Barangay Tabuk, highlighting the community’s collective effort to build a more peaceful, inclusive, and resilient society.
Roderick Cruz, president of Global UNAP and Immediate Past National President of UNAP, underscored the importance of the peace center in promoting both local and global solidarity.
“Ang pagtataguyod ng Peace Center dito ay isang senyales na ang Basilan province, from the city and all the way to its people is a very peaceful place to visit, and a very peaceful place to invest, and a very peaceful place to live”, he said.
Ambassador Bai Norhata Alonto, president of UNAP Mindanao, emphasized that peace is a continuous journey that requires patience, courage, and collaboration, and that the peace center will serve as a vital hub where communities can work together toward shared goals.
“The establishment of this UN peace center is the declaration of faith in the future of Basilan and by extension the entire region of Mindanao. This building is not merely concrete, steel, now it is a dedicated space for dialogue, for healing, and collaborative nation building,” she said.
A symbolic acceptance of the UN Flag was led by Isabela City Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman, underscoring the city’s strong commitment to peace and unity.
In her message, Mayor Hataman highlighted that the establishment of the Peace Center marks not only a milestone for Isabela City but also a major advancement for Mindanao, emphasizing the significance of this event in promoting and advocating for peace.
“This is a Women Livelihood Training Center pero yung pagconfer sa kanya nung pagiging UN peace center, it reminds us always laging intentional dapat yung pagsiseek natin at pagpoprotect at pagprepreserve natin ng peace”, she said.
A signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the city government of Isabela de Basilan and Global UNAP took place, officially designating the city as a Global UNAP Peace Center. (EDT/NDR/LAU/PIA Basilan)
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