The fundamental call of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. (PBBM) is UNITY.  It is a prerequisite to the attainment of the Filipino people’s dreams – a Nation at peace; a developed country; and a bright future for future generations. These require the disciplined response, pro-active involvement and collective participation of the Filipino people.

YES FOR PEACE – Bayanihan ng Bayan was proposed to PBBM as a campaign to arouse, organize and mobilize the Filipino people through a national open referendum and awareness sharing dialogues to mobilize all sectors to actively counter violent extremism as well as assert the right to peace. A paper and ink initiative to establish a national consensus to end armed conflicts by democratically institutionalizing good governance.

30 August 2022 – PBBM stated in his Message for Yes for Peace, Incorporated, “I am delighted that your organization has aligned with the administration’s core ideal which will positively guide us in the efficient delivery of public services and the espousal of good governance in the coming years.

“I fervently hope that you will make significant progress in promoting non-violent and constructive peacebuilding dialogues and implement programs that will benefit communities in dire need. May you garner substantial support in effecting the whole-of-nation approach to your comprehensive plan for lasting peace and development.

“As we proceed to the future with renewed hearts and minds, it is time to set aside our differences and let our philosophies converge in our shared dreams for our country. With our strengthened unification efforts, I am confident that we can nurture a more progressive, productive, and inclusive society for all.”

September 2022 –Vice President Sara Z. Duterte wrote, “The fate of our nation rests in our fate in peace, our commitment to democracy and human rights, the union of different cultures and traditions of our regions, and our collective dream and aspiration for a life that is secure and free from violence.

“I hope Yes for Peace, Inc., will be instrumental in helping the government bring its development and peace and security agenda to the people.”

A set of three questions were pre-tested among the participants to 2022 DepEd NEU Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao clustered assemblies.

Table No. 19 shows the results.

Table No. 19. Summary of Answers to Three (3) Questions Fielded During the 2022 DepEd NEU Luzon Cluster Assemblies

QUESTION	YES	%	NO	%
1.     Kailangan po bang alamin, itaguyod at isabuhay ang mga Karapatan ng Katutubo (Indigenous People’s Rights) ayon sa RA No. 8371; ang mga Karapatan ng Bata (Rights of the Child); ang mga Karapatang Pantao (Human Rights); at ang Karapatan sa Kapayapaan (Right to Peace) alinsunod sa mga deklarasyon ng United Nations’ General Assembly?	1,088	99.73	3	0.27
2.     Kailangan po bang tutulan, hadlangan at labanan ang pagsusulong at paggamit ng armas, karahasan o terorismo para isulong at ipagpilitan ninuman ang mga paniniwala, adhikain, ideolohiya o relihiyon?	1,066	97.98	22	2.02
3.     Kailangan ba ang aktibong pakikibahagi ng bawat Filipino at kolektibong partisipasyon ng Sambayanan para maayos na matukoy, maiplano, mapondohan ang mga proyekto at programa ng iba’t ibang sangay ng gobyerno para masugpo na ang kahirapan at maiangat ang kabuhayan ng bawat Filipino sa bawat komunidad o Barangay?	1,073	99.81	2	0.19

The results show that indeed, a consensus among the Filipino people on peace and how to attain this can be built.  It should be noted, however, that while still statistically insignificant, there are 2.02% that have answered no to Question No. 2.

07 December 2022 – VP and DepEd Secretary Duterte wrote in a Message for the 14^th DepEd NEU National Congress, “I reiterate my full support to the YES FOR PEACE Bayanihan ng Bayan in carrying out its important and delicate mission to end the recruitment of Filipino learners by armed extremist groups pursuant to the whole-of-nation approach of the National Plan to End the Local Communist Armed Conflict approved by President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Your campaign complements the Department of Education’s call to intensify our child protection mechanisms in our schools.”

“I enjoin the proactive participation of the DepEd National Employees Union in addressing this national concern by working collaboratively with civil society groups such as the Yes for Peace Bayanihan ng Bayan movement.

“Our nation has suffered enough from insurgency and terrorism. Together, let us work to stop the breeding grounds of violence that endanger the future of our democracy, our nation, and our children.”

15 December 2022 – Secretary for the Interior and Local Government Atty. Benjamin C. Abalos, Jr. wrote, “…the Department of the Interior and Local Government commends the Yes for Peace – Bayanihan ng Bayan on their continuous efforts in mobilizing all sectors of in our society to take part in creating and maintaining peace in the country…

“I call on all institutions, civil society organizations, and individuals to emulate, if not follow, the efforts of Yes for Peace because at the end of the day, we will agree to peace, order, and development.”

30 January 2023 – VP and DepEd Secretary Duterte declared in the Basic Education Report 2023, ““We will embed the Culture of Peace in our curriculum to develop learners who are peace builders in communities. We will integrate peace competencies such as social awareness, responsibility, care for the environment, value for diversity, self-esteem, positive character, resilience and human security into the various learning areas of the K-12 curriculum.”

February 2023 – The questions were reformulated pursuant to United Nations’Resolution 53/243 “Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace” as well as fit into the MATATAG Agenda of DepEd.

Table No. 20 shows the matrix of the Filipino and English versions of the reformulated questions which were submitted together with the proposed implementation plan to VP and DepEd Secretary Duterte.

Table No. 20. 2023 Open Referendum Questions of “YES FOR PEACE – Bayanihan ng Bayan” viz. United Nations’ Resolution 53/243 “Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace”

Filipino	English	UN Resolution 53/243
1.    Dapat ba nating itanim at arugain ang Kultura ng Kapayapaan sa ating mga paaralan, tahanan, komunidad, at pamahalaan?	Should we embed and nurture the Culture of Peace in our schools, homes, communities, and government?	“… 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.     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?	Should we unite and collectively participate in identifying, planning, budgeting and implementing projects and programs in each community to maintain the Culture of Peace?	“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.     Dapat ba nating itatag ang isang lipunan na walang karahasan – pisikal, seksuwal, sikolohikal, ekonomikal at sosyal?	Should we establish a society without violence – physical, sexual, psychological, economic and social?	Article 1 (a). “Respect for life, ending of violence and promotion and practice of non-violence through education, dialogue and cooperation.”
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?	Should we take care of and enrich our environment for the sustainable development of our country as an important undertaking for the peace process?	Article 1 (e). “Efforts to meet the developmental and environmental needs of present and future generations.”
5.     Dapat ba nating kilalanin at igalang ang iba’t-ibang paniniwala natin?	Should we recognize and respect each other’s different beliefs and culture?	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.     Dapat ba nating isabuhay ang pagiging Maka-Diyos, Maka-Kalikasan, Maka-Tao at Makabansa?	Should we live up to being Pro-God, Pro-Environment, Pro-People and Nationalist?	Article 2. “Progress in the fuller development of a culture of peace comes about through values, attitudes, modes of behaviour and ways of life conducive to the promotion of peace among individuals, groups and nations.”
7.     Dapat ba nating itaguyod at isulong ang Karapatan sa Kapayapaan; mga Karapatang Pantao; mga Karapatan ng Katutubo; at mga Karapatan ng mga Bata?	Should we uphold and assert Human Rights; the Rights of Children; Indigenous People’s Rights and the Right to Peace?	Article 3 (c). “Promoting democracy, development and universal respect for and observance of all human rights and fundamental freedoms.
8.     Dapat ba nating tutulan, hadlangan at labanan ang mga propaganda at paggamit ng armas, karahasan o terorismo anuman ang dahilan?	Should we reject, oppose and counter the propaganda for and the use of arms, violence and terrorism for whatever reason it may be?	Article 3 (d). “Enabling people at all levels to develop skills of dialogue, negotiation, consensus-building and peaceful resolution of differences.”
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?	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?	Article 3 (e). Strengthening democratic institutions and ensuring full participation in the development process;
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?	Should we teach all our learners the historical backgrounds and ways forward to build peace and assert human rights?	Article 4. Education at all levels is one of the principal means to build a culture of peace. In this context, human rights education is of particular importance.

08 March 2023 – Director Jocelyn DR Andaya of the DepEd Bureau of Curriculum Development wrote, “The proposed Implementation Plan is consistent with the intent and purpose of the K to 12 Basic Education Curriculum and is responsive to the varying contexts of learners, teachers, and other members of the school community across the archipelago particularly the People-centric Movement for Peace and Unity thru Good Governance.

“Moreover, the proposed implementation plan provides a wide menu of strategic responses to the highly-fluid and ever-growing needs and demands relative to peace initiatives.”

March 2023 – National Commission on Muslim Filipinos Secretary Atty. Guilling A. Mamondiong wrote, “The Yes for Peace – Bayanihan ng Bayan campaign is a concrete step that all Filipinos should collectively undertake to ensure that the peace we all pray for is achieved and conflicts are judiciously resolved.

“In as much as Islam is Peace, I hereby commit the full and wholehearted support of the National Commission for Muslim Filipinos… towards the realization of the Vision, the accomplishment of the Mission, and the attainment of the Goals and Objectives of Yes for Peace – Bayanihan ng Bayan.

21 March 2023 – Philippine Postal Corporation Corporate Officer-in-Charge Joel L. Zamudio wrote, “I am proud to be one of the thousands of postal workers who have provided courier services for the campaign which has silently grown and involved more than 15 Million Filipinos, 10 years and older. xxx

“I humbly take this opportunity to express the continued support of the PHLPost to the Yes for Peace – Bayanihan ng Bayan campaign by treating its materials and responses as Official Business Mail.” 

20 April 2023 – University of the Philippines President Angelo A. Jimenez wrote, “Decades have passed since the UP Board of Regents passed a Resolution “Declaring All UP Campuses a Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality”, and still, the University of the Philippines has remained and will remain committed to the principles espoused in this Resolution.

“As UP President, I reaffirm my commitment to maintain UP as a bastion of academic freedom. My administration will support initiatives that will protect and promote UP as a free, safe and peaceful space for the convergence of different perspectives; where voices are encouraged to speak and not silenced; where diversity finds a home; and where ideas are shared and nurtured for the benefit of the nation.”

07 August 2023 – Department of Social Work and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian wrote, “As Yes for Peace, Inc. embarks on its ‘Bayanihan ng Bayan’ campaign, we, at the DSWD, are also taking part in achieving a peaceful, progressive, and prosperous Philippines.

“One of the fundamental pillars of a peaceful and inclusive society is the proactive involvement and collective participation of the people to end local armed conflict. xxx

“Together, let us embark on this noble endeavor toward uplifting, supporting, and empowering those who seek reintegration. By doing so, we not only reshape their lives but also redefine our communities.”

05 September 2023 – General Romeo S Brawner Jr, AFP Chief of Staff issued a Solidarity Statement On Peace-Building And Conflict Resolution, “The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is in solidarity with the Yes for Peace – Bayanihan ng Bayan in pursuit of peace and development, firmly believing that a peaceful and harmonious society is essential for our collective progress.

“This campaign underscores the significance of dialogue, understanding, and reconciliation in addressing the root cause of conflicts.

“As an organization committed to protecting the welfare and security of our people, the AFP believes that promoting peace is vital in achieving lasting prosperity.

“The AFP values the voices of all our citizens, and we are dedicated to listening to their concerns and aspirations, promoting inclusivity and diversity in our approach. This shall foster an environment of trust and cooperation among our countrymen.

“At the heart of our campaign is collaboration. Through strong partnerships with government agencies, civil society, and other stakeholders, we shall strengthen further our collective efforts towards a more peaceful and inclusive society.

“The AFP shall face all challenges with determination, knowing that by working together, we can build a future where peace and prosperity prevail.”

29 November 2023 – VP and DepEd Secretary Duterte wrote in a Message for the 15^th DepEd NEU National Congress, “I am sincerely grateful for the proactive initiatives spearheaded by Yes for Peace – Bayanihan ng Bayan in response to our shared commitment to preventing the recruitment of Filipino learners by armed extremist groups.

“Your collaboration with the Department of Education National Employees Union contribute to a promising future for collective decision-making and reinforcing our child protection policy.

“Let us join hands in implementing basic education reforms under the MATATAG Agenda and integrating peace education into our K-12 curriculum.  Together, we can inspire and empower learners to uphold peace and reject the recruitment efforts of armed extremist groups.

“Maging MATATAG tayo tungo sa isang Bansang Makabata at Batang Makabansa.”

The questions formulated pursuant to the MATATAG Agenda of embedding the Culture of Peace in the curriculum and developing learners who are peace builders in communities have been pre-tested among participants to the 2023 Clustered Assemblies and the 15^th National Congress of the DepEd NEU. Table No. 21 shows the consolidated results of the pre-tests.

Table No. 21 Consolidated Results of Pre-Tests of Questions Formulated Pursuant to the MATATAG Agenda Among Participants to the 2023 Clustered Assemblies and the 15^th National Congress of the DepEd NEU

Questions	YES	%	NO	%
1.     Dapat ba nating itanim at arugain ang Kultura ng Kapayapaan sa ating mga paaralan, tahanan, komunidad, at pamahalaan?	1,552	100.00	0	0.00
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?	1,552	100.00	0	0.00
3.     Dapat ba nating itatag ang isang lipunan na walang karahasan – pisikal, seksuwal, sikolohikal, ekonomikal at sosyal?	1,552	100.00	0	0.00
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?	1,552	100.00	0	0.00
5.     Dapat ba nating kilalanin at igalang ang iba’t-ibang paniniwala natin?	1,552	100.00	0	0.00
6.     Dapat ba nating isabuhay ang pagiging Maka-Diyos, Maka-Kalikasan, Maka-Tao at Makabansa?	1,552	100.00	0	0.00
7.     Dapat ba nating itaguyod at isulong ang Karapatan sa Kapayapaan; mga Karapatang Pantao; mga Karapatan ng Katutubo; at mga Karapatan ng mga Bata?	1,552	100.00	0	0.00
8.     Dapat ba nating tutulan, hadlangan at labanan ang mga propaganda at paggamit ng armas, karahasan o terorismo anuman ang dahilan?	1,549	99.81	3	0.19
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?	1,552	100.00	0	0.00
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?	1,552	100.00	0	0.00

The above results clearly show that, indeed, a national consensus can be established at this time.

30 November 2023 – The 15^th DepEd NEU National Congress unanimously adopted “Resolution Reiterating the Joint DepEd NEU National Executive Council and National Board of Trustees Resolution Adopting Yes for Peace – Bayanihan ng Bayan Campaign in Support of the MATATAG Agenda to Embed the “Culture of Peace” in the Curriculum and Urging Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sara Z. Duterte to Issue a DepEd Memorandum for the Implementation of Its Open Referendum Phase to End the Recruitment of Learners by Armed Extremist Groups.”

18 December 2023 – A letter appreciating the Message issued and submitting the Proposed Road Map 2024 was sent to PBBM, to wit:

“The Whole-of-Nation / Whole-of-Society approach of YES FOR PEACE – Bayanihan ng Bayan towards UNITY – Peace, Progress and Prosperity pursuant to the objectives of the comprehensive peace process consists of five (5) Thematic Phases:

1. “AROUSE – Forge a national consensus 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” through the Department of Education to: a.) “End the recruitment of Filipino learners by armed extremist groups; b.) “Counter-terrorism and violent extremism; and c.) “Assert Peace as a Human Right.
2. “ORGANIZE – Nurture the people-centric upward declaration of YES FOR PEACE, UNITY AND DEVELOPMENT Zones from the Schools/Barangays; to Cities and Municipalities; to Provinces; to the Regions; and finally, the whole Philippines.
3. “MOBILIZE – Engage the pro-active involvement and collective participation of the people in identifying, planning, budgeting and implementing community-based peace, development and livelihood programs projects. Open-access to the complete Menu of existing projects and programs of all government line agencies and the corresponding user-friendly hyperlinks shall be provided as a matter of course.
4. “GOVERGENCE – Institutionalize good governance through the convergent delivery of peace, development and livelihood programs and projects identified, planned, budgeted and implemented through Bayanihan – the pro-active involvement and collective participation of the people – at the Barangay / community level.
5. “LEGISLATION – Revision of laws and amendment of constitutional provisions that have impeded the comprehensive peace process as well as the realization of national unity that will bring about the long sought for peace, progress and prosperity.