Legarda Urges Filipinos: Find Unity Among Diversity

As the country celebrates the Christmas season, Senator Loren Legarda urged Filipinos to find unity among diversity.

"In a few days we will be celebrating Christmas, an occasion observed mostly by Christians. But almost all Filipinos respect the occasion and join us in celebration. This is what we, as a nation, must aim to do--respect one another's beliefs and culture. We must find unity among diversity," Legarda said.

The Senator explained that this is the reason why she has been proposing measures that seek to bring awareness of other people's cultures.

Legarda co-sponsored a bill to declare the Chinese New Year a special holiday in the Philippines, which was recently approved on Second Reading by the Senate. It aims to recognize the immense contribution of the Chinese-Filipino community.

She also filed a bill declaring the first week of February as "World Interfaith Harmony Week" in the Philippines. The measure will mandate all government agencies to observe activities advancing the message of harmony and goodwill in accordance with religious traditions and practices during the Interfaith Harmony Week.

"We need to find genuine understanding among people of different faiths and belief systems. We must push for a harmonious society that is democratic, and built on communication and mutual respect," Legarda stressed.

Legarda also authored the declaration of Eidul Adha as a national holiday.