THE importance of “unity and healing” in attaining lasting peace and economic prosperity in the Philippines should never be ignored or taken for granted by the people.

Thus, every Filipino ought to heed the call of Budget and Management Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, a Muslim who traces her roots to Marawi City in Lanao del Sur.

The Mindanao State University (MSU) is located in Marawi City, which is known as the “Summer Capital of the South.”

Secretary Pangandaman aired the call in her well-applauded speech during last Friday’s culmination activity of the “National Peace Consciousness Month” held at the PICC in Pasay City.

“We have always heard of unity amidst diversity…Let us all be united in seeking peace as we move forward in our agenda for prosperity for the region,” the lady DBM secretary said.

At the same time, Pangandaman described the establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) as a historic win for the whole country.

In fact, in the view of various quarters, including Muslims and Christians across the Philippines, Secretary Pangandaman was right in calling for unity and healing.

As part of the celebration, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity also launched the “Gawad Kapayapaan Peace Awards Project.”

The project seeks to recognize the peace advocates and champions and present best practices in peace-building that can be replicated and sustained.

The speech of the highly-articulate DBM top honcho is a wake-up call to all Filipinos to now work in unison for the sake of the country and the more than 110 million Filipinos.

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