DILG Central News

Roxas to Mindanao LGUs: Let us all support Framework Agreement for Bangsamoro February 10, 2014

Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas today called on the governors, mayors and other elected officials of Mindanao to extend their all-out support to the Framework Agreement for Bangsamoro, which was forged recently by the National Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Roxas noted that the local officials are in the best position to explain to their constituents the advantages of creating a new Bangsamoro Region as a necessary step in securing just and lasting peace in Mindanao.

“Together with the President, I celebrate with the whole of Mindanao and the entire country on the potential that the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement brings,” Roxas said during the opening ceremony of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) office in Cotabato City.

“The Framework Agreement is a crucial and necessary first step towards lasting peace and development in Mindanao. Thus, I ask for everyone’s support so that we can hurdle the challenges ahead and succeed in transforming this nascent promise into reality,” he added.

Roxas joined Sec. Teresita Deles, the Presidential Adviser for Peace Process, in the opening ceremony which was also attended by the 15 members of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission.

The 15 members of the Commission, of which seven were nominated by the Government, and eight recommended by the MILF, include Akmad A. Sakkam, Johaira C. Wahab, Talib A. Benito, Asani S. Tammang, Pedrito A. Eisma, Froilyn T. Mendoza and Fatmawati T. Salapuddin Robert M. Alonto, Abdulla U. Camlian, Ibrahim D. Ali, Raissa H. Jajurie, Melanio U. Ulama, Hussein P. Munoz and Said M. Shiek.

Mohagher Iqbal, current chair of the MILF peace panel will serve as Chairperson of the Commission.

The Transition Commission is tasked to draft the Bangsamoro Basic Law that will be certified urgent by the President and submitted to Congress for passage. It will undergo a plebiscite in the proposed Bangsamoro core territory as per the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB). Once ratified, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is deemed abolished and the new Bangsamoro region will be formally established.
Roxas expressed optimism that the Transition Commission would exert all efforts to consult and rally the support of all stakeholders in the ongoing peace process between the government and the MILF.

“I trust the Bangsamoro Transition Commission to draft an Organic Act that is within the spirit and framework of the Constitution. I am confident that whatever present concerns we have will all be properly addressed by the more comprehensive treatment by the Bill, containing the Bangsamoro Organic Act, to be filed in Congress,” Roxas said.

“Tiwala ako na patuloy nating kokonsultahin ang lahat ng grupo at sektor na interesadong magbahagi ng kanilang saloobin at opinyon kaugnay sa planong pagbubuo ng bagong Bangsamoro Region,” he added.

Roxas urged members of the Transition Commission to stand their ground and ward off attempts to sabotage the ongoing peace process in Mindanao.

“Alam nating lahat na hindi madali ang prosesong dinadaanan natin. Marami ang magtatangka na harangan ang ating paglalakbay tungo sa kapayapaan at kaunlaran. Naniniwala ako na buo ang ating loob at tiwala sa isa’t-isa para malampasan ang anumang pagsubok,” he said.

“Malayo man ang ating paglalakbay tungo sa kapayaan, naniniwala akong nasimulan na natin ang panimula ngunit mahalagang hakbang. Asahan ninyong kasama ninyo ako hanggang sa dulo ng paglalakbay na ito,” he added.#

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