Marking a significant milestone in its ongoing quest for sustainable peace and development, the Municipality of Kapalong celebrated the Kapalong Peace Day 2024 yesterday, March 22, 2024, Friday, in line with the Municipal Ordinance No. 1023 series of 2017 which declared every last Friday of the March of every year as Kapalong Peace Day — an annual celebration that not only commemorates the universal call for peace but also reflects upon the municipality's remarkable journey towards sustaining insurgency-free and peaceful locality.
The event was attended by Mayor Tess Timbol, Vice Mayor Edgardo L. Timbol, Hon. Edwin I. Jubahib - duly represented by Arnel Montejo, Executive Assistant; Congressman Pantaleon D. Alvarez; Dr. Rodrigo C. Licayan - KCAST College President; RET. MGEN Reuben S. Basiao PA - Former Commander of The 10th Infantry Division, Philippine Army who was the event’s keynote speaker; tribal leaders, SB Members, employees of the local government unit, SK Officials and council members; and various sectors of the municipality.
The main event of the festivity commenced with a groundbreaking ceremony of the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) peace monument which marks the municipality being an insurgency-free locality and aims to ensure sustainable peace.
Also, the youth from the 14 barangays, public and private schools, and organizations of Kapalong participated in various events such as Musical Play, Mural Painting, and TikTok Challenge. For the Musical Play, Kapalong College of Agriculture, Sciences, and Technology (KCAST) successfully clinched first place followed by the Sangguniang Kabataan Municipal Federation (SKMF) which was announced as the second placer.
Meanwhile, for the Mural Painting contest Barangay category, Brgy. Pag-asa was hailed as the first placer, followed by Brgy. Maniki as the second placer; and Brgy. Sampao as the third placer. Whereas, for the school category, Kapalong College of Technology Inc. won first place; followed by KCAST as the second placer; and Maryknoll School of Maniki as the third placer. Lastly, for the Peace TikTok contest, Brgy. Katipunan, Brgy. Capungagan, and Brgy. Sampao was proclaimed as first placer, second placer, and third placer, respectively.
Attendees of the events, holding their white balloons and candles, jived during the community singing and ceremonial candle lighting which symbolizes the enduring peace and collaboration within the municipality. This signaled the event’s conclusion along with the send-off of Peace Pact delegates.
Following the event, the head of the organizing committee, Ms. Yhes Timbol, Executive Assistant to the Mayor reported that the activity had a crowd of 2,300 attendees with no reports of minor to major incidents. This significantly indicated that the event was well-planned and well- executed following the safety and security protocols in close coordination with the AFP, PNP, BFP, MDRRMO, Traffic Management Office, and Municipal Security Group, among others.
The 8th Kapalong Peace day successfully concluded, and it is hoped that the attendees and all Kapalongians will continue to safeguard and sustain peace and harmony. The Municipality of Kapalong, has once again proven the power of love, compassion, and collaboration in achieving a common goal.
