Dear God, grant our world Your peace!

More than ever, we all need to unite to pray for peace, for God’s peace, to reign in the hearts of all people/all countries throughout the world.

Already, the adverse impact of the Middle East (ME) conflict has gone global, especially deepening and widening the hardship and poverty experienced by the least and last all throughout the world.

Gas prices have soared, all other prices will hike as well, including those for basic food items.

We welcome Congress’ move to allow BBM to suspend the excise fuel taxes. We hope the VAT suspension will follow as well.

These tax suspensions will be very helpful especially for the most needy.

Suspension of DPWH and other government infrastructure projects will also be prudent, to save /use our public funds for our people in case the ME crisis escalates.

Aside from the timely call to save on gas use by government, now is the best time to prepare everyone, all households, all communities, for food supply and security.

Now is the opportune time for everyone to heed the call of Mayor Archival for waste segregation so that the budget for waste/garbage can be used as contingency fund to use for people, especially the most needy.

Now may be the providential opportunity for everyone to do household composting of kitchen/food wastes and grow gardens in every barangay.

Less kitchen/food wastes collected can save 50% or more for garbage hauling and transport budget, the garbage savings/dividends should instead be used SOONEST as incentives/rewards and alternative income options for all barangay residents who will segregate their household wastes, do compost and recycle/reduce their waste volume!

Less HH and barangay waste collected will mean less to be disposed of, hence, solving the city problem of looking for a disposal site and spending so much for the garbage truck collection and disposal.

If everyone (especially those in households and barangays who will segregate waste) will be rewarded (in cash or in kind) as Barangay Luz is now practicing, the garbage savings can serve as safety net for those who segregate their waste to use to buy their basic food needs during this ME emergency!

Calling Mayor Nestor/all LGU officials to urgently consider an immediate reward/incentive system for barangay waste segregators so that during this crisis, the garbage budget can instead be used to assist our needy waste segregators.

Less HH/barangay waste collected will translate to millions of garbage budget savings for the city/LGUs, less disposal area, less fuel use, more financial assistance for our needy, more protective of our people/environment especially during this ME crisis!

This waste segregation reward/incentive system will also respond to the following Pastoral Call of Cebu Archbishop Abet Uy during this time of global uncertainty:

“Recent developments in the Middle East remind us once again how fragile peace in our world can be. As war continues in that region, we are already beginning to feel its effects even here in our country. One immediate consequence is the rising price of oil, which will soon affect transportation, electricity, and the cost of many basic commodities.

For this reason, I would like to make a simple appeal to all our parishes and lay faithful in the Archdiocese of Cebu.

First, let us pray for peace. I ask our parishes to include special intentions in the Prayers of the Faithful for peace in the Middle East and for an end to war. I also invite our families and communities to pray the Rosary and offer personal prayers for peace.

War brings suffering especially to innocent civilians—children, women, and the elderly. Let us ask the Lord to touch the hearts of leaders and guide them toward dialogue and peace.

Second, I encourage everyone to be more mindful in the use of energy.

With the rising cost of oil, electricity and transportation will also be affected. Let us avoid unnecessary waste of electricity and fuel. Simple actions—turning off unused lights, conserving energy, and living more simply—can help our families and at the same time express our care for our common home.

Third, I appeal to everyone to be especially attentive to the needs of our poor neighbors.

When prices rise, it is always the poor who suffer the most. Many families are already struggling to provide food and basic necessities for their children. If God has blessed us with a little more, this is a good time to share. Even simple acts of generosity can bring hope to someone who is quietly struggling.

As the Scriptures remind us: “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward them for what they have done” (Proverbs 19:17).

In this time of uncertainty, let us respond with faith, simplicity, and generosity. Let us pray more, care for creation, and look after one another as one family.

May the Santo Niño continue to guide and protect our beloved Cebu, and may the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace, intercede for our troubled world.”