House passes bill declaring 1st Week of February as World Interfaith Harmony Week
House passes bill declaring 1st Week of February as World Interfaith Harmony Week
By Lorelei V. Castillo
The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a bill declaring every first week of February of each year as World Interfaith Harmony Week.
House Bill 6148 authored by Reps. Maria Isabelle Climaco (1st District, Zamboanga City) and Marlyn Primicias-Agabas (6th District, Pangasinan) seeks to carry out the message of interfaith harmony and goodwill in all places of worship worldwide based upon the foundational teachings of love of God and neighbor in accordance with religious traditions and practices.
Deputy Speaker Climaco said the measure aims to promote peace via civil and non-violent dialogue among diverse faiths and religions.
Climaco said for more than thirty years, peace in Mindanao has remained illusive owing to many factors, not only economic in nature but culturally as well.
Climaco said the government exerts considerable effort to seek and promote peace throughout the region primarily via renewed peace negotiations.
The lady solon said the United Nations Organization recognizes the imperative for dialogue among differing faiths and religions to enhance mutual understanding, harmony and cooperation among peoples.
“The measure mandates the observance of said event by the different government agencies,” Climaco said.
All government agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned and controlled corporations as well as local government units are directed to carry out the observance of activities in relation to the event.