BY: VANESSA BUGTONG

Local officials, law enforcement agencies, and political candidates in Benguet participated in a unity walk and peace covenant signing to promote fair and peaceful elections.

Organized by the Benguet Provincial Police Office and the Commission on Elections (Comelec), the event began with a march from the last gate of Benguet State University to the provincial capitol. Participants included representatives from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams (BPATs), and local candidates.

Following the unity walk, an interfaith prayer was held before candidates signed a peace covenant, pledging to uphold an honest and dignified election.

“As we gather in the spirit of unity, we also gather with a sense of responsibility. Our democracy relies on the choices we make, and those choices must reflect values of truth, honesty, and respect,” said Benguet Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Vanessa Roncal.

DILG Benguet Provincial Director Regina Elizabeth Mammag urged candidates to remain committed to peaceful elections, emphasizing, “Let us have one united Benguet.”

With the local campaign period set to begin in two weeks, authorities continue to monitor election-related activities to ensure a secure and orderly voting process.