President Arroyo has declared Sept. 21, 2009 as “International Day of Peace in the Philippines, a country still plagued by separatist and communist rebellions and other conflicts.

In Proclamation No. 1881, the President directed the Department of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, to initiate and lead the proper observance of the day of global ceasefire and non-violence.

The declaration of international day of peace in the country was part of the National Peace Consciousness Month observed every September.

“There is a need to mark this day in the Philippines as a special day of non-violence and cessation of hostilities in solidarity with the community of nations,” the order read.

In September 2001, the United Nations designated Sept. 21 every year beginning 2002 as the International Day of Peace, urging all nations and people to honor a cessation of hostilities for its duration. The UN also invited all its member-nations to commemorate the International Day of Peace in an appropriate manner, including through education and public awareness.

Under Proclamation 1881 signed last Sept. 8, the President also urged concerned government agencies, non-government organizations, religious and civic groups, and the business sector to participate in the peace celebration next Monday.

All national and local publications, television networks and radio stations were also encouraged to help generate awareness and public support for activities promoting the event.

Back in 2004, the President declared the month of September as National Peace Consciousness Month to instill greater consciousness and understanding among the Filipino people on the nation’s comprehensive peace process.

After years of false starts, the Arroyo government has plans to jumpstart peace negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) within this year. It is just waiting for the date that will be set by Malaysia, facilitator of the talks.

The resumption of peace negotiations with the communist rebels, on the other hand, looks dim due to the group’s precondition to free their colleagues in jail.

The government said it has bent backwards to restart the peace talks with the rebels but would not circumvent the justice system just to please them.