COTABATO CITY – As members of the House of Representatives begin voting Monday on the provisions of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), officials and employees of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) gathered at the regional office’s compound in Cotabato City to affirm their support on the passage of the proposed legislation.
Hundreds of employees of the ARMM attended a short program held after the regular flag-raising ceremony to show their support to the BBL noting the proposed measure would lead to a lasting peace in Mindanao.
Aylwin Manzan, a multimedia artist from Cotabato City and an employee of the regional government, said the passage of the BBL is the solution that would end the perennial conflict on the island.
“Ang BBL lamang ang tanging paraan upang magkaroon ng kapayapaan dito sa Mindanao. Kung hindi ito maipapasa, tuluyang mawawala ang pag-asa ng Bangsamoro upang makamit ang kapayapaan (The BBL is the only way to achieve peace in Mindanao. If it is not passed, the chance to find peace in Mindanao would be lost),” he said.
Ramon Madrama who has been working for five years as a nurse in the ARMM regional office said the BBL will be the first step in attaining peace and development on the island.
“Ang BBL ang tanging opsyon upang magkaroon ng peace and development dito sa atin. Ito din ang magiging daan para umunlad. Naniniwala ako na kung may kapayapaan ang kasunod niyan ay pag-unlad (BBL is the only option to attain peace and development here. I believe development would follow once we attain peace),” he said.
For Margie Makilang, an administrative aide, the BBL will benefit not only the Muslim community but the entire Bangsamoro region including Christians and Indigenous Peoples.
The ARMM government has consistently manifested its support to the BBL and the Mindanao peace agenda. It has initiated various programs and initiatives such as the ‘YapaKapayapaan’, ‘KantaKapayapaan’, and the on-going ‘I Value Life, I Sign for Peace’ campaign to underscore the call for peace and give meaningful contributions to the creation of a stronger political institution that will advance the legitimate aspirations of the Bangsamoro.
Governor Mujiv S. Hataman urged his constituents to continuously support the call of the region for the passage of the BBL saying it is “part of the process to achieve peace” in the region. (Bureau of Public Information)
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