1st THEMATIC PHASE - AROUSE
National Consensus and Constituency Building
The 1st Thematic Phase is AROUSE – Forge a national consensus to embed a “Culture of Peace” through an open referendum among Filipinos, 10 years and older, on ten (10) questions based on United Nations Resolution 43/153, “Declaration of the Culture of Peace” as shown in Figure No. 4:
Figure No. 4 – 1st Thematic Phase
Pursuant to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal No. 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, the questions to be fielded in the open referendum were based on United Nations Resolution 43/153, “Declaration of the Culture of Peace” as shown in Table 1:
Table No. 1 – Questions to be Fielded in the Open Referendum viz United Nations Resolution 43/153, “Declaration of the Culture of Peace”
| English | Filipino | UN Resolution 53/243 |
| 1. Should we embed and nurture the Culture of Peace in our schools, homes, communities, and government? | Dapat ba nating ipunla at arugain ang Kultura ng Kapayapaan sa ating mga paaralan, tahanan, komunidad, at pamahalaan? | Declaration, “… Declaration on a Culture of Peace to the end that Governments, international organizations and civil society may be guided in their activity by its provisions to promote and strengthen a culture of peace…” |
| 2. Should we unite and collectively participate in identifying, planning, budgeting and implementing projects and programs in each community to maintain the Culture of Peace? | Dapat ba nating magkaisa at mag-Bayanihan sa pagtukoy, pagplano, pagpondo at pagsasagawa ng mga proyekto at programa upang mapanatili ang Kultura ng Kapayapaan sa bawa’t komunidad? | Declaration, “Recognizing that peace not only is the absence of conflict, but also requires a positive, dynamic participatory process where dialogue is encouraged and conflicts are solved in a spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation.” |
| 3. Should we establish a society without violence – physical, sexual, psychological, economic and social? | Dapat ba nating itatag ang isang lipunan na walang karahasan – pisikal, seksuwal, sikolohikal, ekonomikal at sosyal? | Declaration, Article 1 (a). “Respect for life, ending of violence and promotion and practice of non-violence through education, dialogue and cooperation.” |
| 4. Should we take care of and enrich our environment for the sustainable development of our country as an important undertaking for the peace process? | Dapat ba nating alagaan at pagyamanin ang ating kapaligiran upang masustinihan ang pag-unlad ng ating bansa bilang isang mahalagang bahagi ng prosesong pangkapayaan? | Declaration, Article 1 (e). “Efforts to meet the developmental and environmental needs of present and future generations.” |
| 5. Should we recognize and respect each other’s different beliefs and culture? | Dapat ba nating kilalanin at igalang ang iba’t-ibang paniniwala natin? | Declaration, Article 1 (i). “Adherence to the principles of freedom, justice, democracy, tolerance, solidarity, cooperation, pluralism, cultural diversity, dialogue and understanding at all levels of society and among nations; and fostered by an enabling national and international environment conducive to peace.” |
| 6. Should we assert the full respect of other nations on our sovereignty and territorial integrity and resist intervention of foreigners in our domestic issues and policies? | Dapat ba nating isulong ang ganap na pagrespeto ng ibang bansa sa soberaniya at kasarinlan ng teritoryo natin at tutulan ang panghihimasok ng mga banyaga sa mga pambansang usapin at patakaran natin? | Declaration, Article 1 (b). “Full respect for the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of States and non-intervention in matters which are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any State, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and international law;” |
| 7. Should we uphold and assert Human Rights; the Rights of Children; Indigenous People’s Rights and the Right to Peace? | Dapat ba nating itaguyod at isulong ang Karapatan sa Kapayapaan; mga Karapatang Pantao; mga Karapatan ng Katutubo; at mga Karapatan ng mga Bata? | Declaration, Article 3 (c). “Promoting democracy, development and universal respect for and observance of all human rights and fundamental freedoms.” |
| 8.Should we reject, oppose and counter calls for, promotion of and use of arms, violence and terrorism for whatever reason it may be? | Dapat ba nating tutulan, hadlangan at labanan ang pananawagan, pagsusulong at paggamit ng armas, karahasan o terorismo anuman ang dahilan? | Declaration, Article 3 (d). “Enabling people at all levels to develop skills of dialogue, negotiation, consensus-building and peaceful resolution of differences.” |
| 9. Should we keep ourselves abreast of programs and projects of various government agencies and use these to develop our community and to enrich the Culture of Peace? | Dapat ba nating maging mulat sa mga programa at proyekto ng iba’t-ibang sangay ng pamahalaan at gamitin ang mga ito upang paunlarin ang ating mga komunidad at pagyamanin ang Kultura ng Kapayapaan? | Declaration, Article 3 (e). “Strengthening democratic institutions and ensuring full participation in the development process;” |
| 10. Should we strengthen the programs that enable rebels to return to society and to live peacefully in their respective communities? | Dapat ba nating patibayin ang mga programa para makabalik sa lipunan ang mga rebelde at nang makapamuhay sila ng matiwasay sa kani-kanilang mga komunidad? | Programme of Action, B. 15 (f). “Support initiatives, at the national, regional and international levels, to address concrete problems arising from post-conflict situations, such as demobilization, reintegration of former combatants into society, as well as refugees and displaced persons, weapon collection programmes, exchange of information and confidence-building” |
The questions were tested among participants to the DepEd NEU 2023 Clustered Assemblies and 15th National Congress. The results are summarized below:
Table No. 2 – Responses to Open Referendum Questions Tested Among Participants to the DepEd NEU 2023 Clustered Assemblies and 15th National Congress
| Questions | YES | % | NO | % | TOTAL |
| 1. Dapat ba nating itanim at arugain ang Kultura ng Kapayapaan sa ating mga paaralan, tahanan, komunidad, at pamahalaan? | 1,510 | 100.00 | 0 | 0.00 | 1,510 |
| 2. Dapat ba nating magkaisa at mag-Bayanihan sa pagtukoy, pagplano, pagpondo at pagsasagawa ng mga proyekto at programa upang mapanatili ang Kultura ng Kapayapaan sa bawa’t komunidad? | 1,510 | 100.00 | 0 | 0.00 | 1,510 |
| 3. Dapat ba nating itatag ang isang lipunan na walang karahasan – pisikal, seksuwal, sikolohikal, ekonomikal at sosyal? | 1,510 | 100.00 | 0 | 0.00 | 1,510 |
| 4. Dapat ba nating alagaan at pagyamanin ang ating kapaligiran upang masustinahan ang pag-unlad ng ating bansa bilang isang mahalagang bahagi ng prosesong pangkapayaan? | 1,510 | 100.00 | 0 | 0.00 | 1,510 |
| 5. Dapat ba nating kilalanin at igalang ang iba’t-ibang paniniwala natin? | 1,510 | 100.00 | 0 | 0.00 | 1,510 |
| 6. Dapat ba nating isabuhay ang pagiging Maka-Diyos, Maka-Kalikasan, Maka-Tao at Makabansa? | 1,510 | 100.00 | 0 | 0.00 | 1,510 |
| 7. Dapat ba nating itaguyod at isulong ang Karapatan sa Kapayapaan; mga Karapatang Pantao; mga Karapatan ng Katutubo; at mga Karapatan ng mga Bata? | 1,510 | 100.00 | 0 | 0.00 | 1,510 |
| 8. Dapat ba nating tutulan, hadlangan at labanan ang mga propaganda at paggamit ng armas, karahasan o terorismo anuman ang dahilan? | 1,507 | 99.80 | 3 | 0.20 | 1,510 |
| 9. Dapat ba nating maging mulat sa mga programa at proyekto ng iba’t-Ibang sangay ng pamahalaan at gamitin ang mga ito upang paunlarin ang ating mga komunidad at pagyamanin ang Kultura ng Kapayapaan? | 1,510 | 100.00 | 0 | 0.00 | 1,510 |
| 10. Dapat ba nating ituro ang mga kaganapan at maaring gawin sa pagtataguyod ng kapayapaan at pagsusulong ng karapatang pantao sa ating mga mag-aaral? | 1,510 | 100.00 | 0 | 0.00 | 1,510 |
It is evident from the above table that a national consensus can indeed be attained. Soliciting the direct sentiment of the populace aligns with the fundamental principle of participation in good governance. By providing a platform for millions of Filipinos to voice their opinion on a critical national issue, the initiative empowers citizens and sends a clear message to policymakers about the public’s aspirations.
Based on previous experience, the most cost effective and resource efficient to operationalize this Phase is through the Department of Education (DepEd) which adopted the open referendum of Yes for Peace as a component of the Media Advocacy of Values and Informal Education (MAVIE) pursuant to the United Nations Education for All Program (EFA).
The production of campaign questionnaires as well as other materials relied on the Bayanihan spirit. Cash contributions are discouraged.
The issuance of a DepEd Memorandum / Order and the proactive participation in calling for citizen’s participation of the Secretary of Education are keys to ensure the success of this phase.
DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara in his Message on the campaign (Figure No. 5) stated, “On behalf of the Department of Education (DepEd), I extend my deepest commendation to Yes for Peace, Inc. for your unwavering commitment to the Bayanihan ng Bayan campaign. Your work is a strong reminder we are building peace together.
“DepEd stands with you in ensuring that education becomes a force for peace. Schools play a vital role in this mission. It is where young Filipinos learn not just reading and writing, but also values like respect, empathy, and unity…
Figure No. 5 – Message of Secretary Sonny Angara as Published on yesforpeace.com
It could therefore be expected that Secretary Angara shall issue the needed Memorandum / Order for the implementation of the campaign as part of the Peace Education program of DepEd in all elementary and secondary high schools.
The Key Result Area (KRA); Key Performance Indicator (KPI); and SMART Objective of this phase are shown in Figure 6:
Figure No. 6 – Key Result Area (KRA); Key Performance Indicator (KPI); and SMART Objective of 1st Thematic Phase
The Target Audience is shown in Figure No. 7:
TARGET AUDIENCE
Primary Target Audience – Learners from Grade 4 to Grade 12 estimated at Eighteen Million Sixty-Seven Thousand Two Hundred Sixty-Four (18,067,264)
Secondary Target Audience – Parents, housemates and relatives of the Primary Target Audience. This is estimated to be twice the number of Learners from Grade 4 to Grade 12 or approximately Thirty-Six Million One Hundred Thirty-Four Thousand Five Hundred Twenty-Eight (36,435,528).
Figure No. 7 – Target Audience
The process flow of in-school activities to be undertaken in Figure No. 8:
Figure No. 8 – Process Flow of In-School Activities to be Undertaken
The implementing guide on activities to be undertaken in schools are shown in Table No. 3:
Table No. 3 – Implementing Guide on Activities to be Undertaken in Schools
| ACTIVITY | RESPONSIBLE PERSONS | BASIS / REFERENCES |
| 1. Faculty / Staff meetings to discuss School-Based activities. |
|
“The DepEd shall mainstream peace education… utilizing… peace related modules…” – Ref: Implementing Guidelines of Executive Order No. 570, s. 2008, Institutionalizing Peace Education In Basic Education And Teacher Education (24 July 2008) |
| 2. Reproduction of YES FOR PEACE Questionnaires, etc. |
|
Chargeable to the MOOE that may be allocated for Peace Education. Ref: DepEd Order No. 13, s. 2016 – IV-Procedure, D-Uses of School MOOE, Items 15 & 16 |
| 3. Learners from Grade 4 to 12 shall be guided in answering one YES FOR PEACE – Bayanihan ng Bayan open referendum questionnaire (Enclosure No.3). |
|
“Peace Education… entails providing an enabling environment for infusing peace-promoting values, skills, and attitudes into the whole life of the school.” – Ref: National Policy Framework on Learners and Schools as Zones of Peace, DepEd Order 32, s. 2019 (11 November 2019) |
| 4. Learners shall bring home their answered open referendum questionnaire for the consent of their parent/s (Saturday / Sunday) –Learners shall ask their parents, out-of-school siblings, housemates, and other relatives to fill-out one (1) open referendum questionnaire and one (1) “Panunumpa ng mga KaBayanihan ng Bayan” (Enclosure No. 9) each as an initial step to assert their individual and collective Human Right to Peace. |
|
“Peace Education… shall involve… Creation of peacebuilding programs involving parents, and build/sustain participative structures and caring relationships among the school, families, and the community.” – Ref: same as Basis for Item No. 3 “Peace Education… shall involve… Creation of peacebuilding programs involving parents, and build/sustain participative structures and caring relationships among the school, families, and the community.” – Ref: National Policy Framework on Learners and Schools as Zones of Peace, DepEd Order 32, s. 2019 (11 November 2019) “A key role in the promotion of a culture of peace belongs to parents, teachers,… as well as to non-governmental organizations.” United Nations General Assembly Resolution No. 53/243 |
| 5. During the Flag Ceremony: On cue from SSG officers, Learners shall answer each question verbally altogether (Viva Voce) as a group. The SPG or SSG President shall lead the recitation of the “Panunumpa ng mga KaBayanihan ng Bayan”. |
|
“A key role in the promotion of a culture of peace belongs to parents, teachers,… as well as to non-governmental organizations.” — Ref: United Nations General Assembly Resolution No. 53/243, (13 September 1999) “The primary tool to promote a Culture of Peace is Peace Education, which must be taught in families, all levels of education, workplaces, and disseminated through the media, and encouraged at all levels of society.” — Ref: “Let’s Build a Culture of Peace” World Summit of Nobel Laureates for Peace, (19 to 22 Sept 2019) “Peace Education… entails providing an enabling environment for infusing peace-promoting values, skills, and attitudes into the whole life of the school.” – Ref: National Policy Framework on Learners and Schools as Zones of Peace, DepEd Order 32, s. 2019, (11 November 2019) |
| 6. During Homeroom Period: Collection and tabulation of filled-up YES FOR PEACE – Bayanihan ng Bayan open referendum questionnaires Packing of hard copies for mailing. Preparation of Homeroom Tabulation of Responses Witnessing of “Panunumpa ng mga KaBayanihan ng Bayan”. |
|
“Peace Education… entails providing an enabling environment for infusing peace-promoting values, skills, and attitudes into the whole life of the school.” – Ref: National Policy Framework on Learners and Schools as Zones of Peace, DepEd Order 32, s. 2019 (11 November 2019) |
| 7. Preparation of SCHOOL SUMMARY OF RESPONSES based on submitted HOMEROOM TABULATION OF RESPONSES. |
|
“Peace Education… entails providing an enabling environment for infusing peace-promoting values, skills, and attitudes into the whole life of the school.” – Ref: National Policy Framework on Learners and Schools as Zones of Peace, DepEd Order 32, s. 2019 (11 November 2019) |
| 8. RESOLUTION DECLARING A YES FOR PEACE, UNITY AND DEVELOPMENT ZONE |
|
“The primary tool to promote a Culture of Peace is Peace Education, which must be taught in families, all levels of education, workplaces, and disseminated through the media, and encouraged at all levels of society.” – Ref: “Let’s Build a Culture of Peace” World Summit of Nobel Laureates for Peace, (19–22 Sept 2019) |
9. SUBMISSION OF REPORTS
By Email – Scan and send to email addresses of the following:
|
|
“Peace Education… entails providing an enabling environment for infusing peace-promoting values, skills, and attitudes into the whole life of the school.” – Ref: National Policy Framework on Learners and Schools as Zones of Peace, DepEd Order 32, s. 2019 (11 November 2019) “The primary tool to promote a Culture of Peace is Peace Education, which must be taught in families, all levels of education, workplaces, and disseminated through the media, and encouraged at all levels of society.” – Ref: “Let’s Build a Culture of Peace” World Summit of Nobel Laureates for Peace, (19–22 Sept 2019) |
| 10. Pack and address hard copies of responses, together with HOMEROOM TABULATIONS, SCHOOL SUMMARY and the RESOLUTION. Mail at nearest post office. |
|
“Peace Education… entails providing an enabling environment for infusing peace-promoting values, skills, and attitudes into the whole life of the school.” – Ref: National Policy Framework on Learners and Schools as Zones of Peace, DepEd Order 32, s. 2019 (11 November 2019) |
The issuance of a DepEd Memorandum / Order and the proactive participation in calling for citizen’s participation by Secretary Sonny Angara are keys to ensure the success of this phase.
Who and What Do We Need?