COTABATO CITY – The proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) will address the weaknesses and imperfections of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), Governor Mujiv Hataman said in a statement.
The current regional government’s structure has not been responsive to the needs of the people, he said, noting this has an adverse impact on efforts aimed at uplifting the lives of ARMM residents. Those imperfections, he added, led to the rising incidence of poverty, and unstable peace and order.
“We are supporting the passage of BBL as we underscore the need for a Bangsamoro that is stronger than the ARMM, a new government that will bring our people a life of greater opportunities and deliver the promises of a lasting peace,” he said.
Hataman underscored how the government’s gains in recent years including those achieved by the peace negotiations have not been effective in the autonomous region’s governance due to the system’s limitations in addressing Bangsamoro issues.
Hataman, however, noted how peace and order in the ARMM, promoted largely by strides in the southern peace process, yielded positive results in the region’s governance. It should be noted that after the government pursued the peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, there was no major breakout of conflict in the region and other parts of Mindanao.
“The condition of peace provided the people a respite from the never-ending cycle of violence, giving them the time to start their lives anew, dream, and hope once again, he said. “It also allowed the regional government to focus its attention on building roads, bridges, classrooms, farm facilities, community health centers, markets, and homes.”
Resources spent for infrastructures and services these past years, he noted, would have been used to buy medicines, food, as well as building makeshift homes for people displaced by the conflict had the peace process not moved forward.
“ARMM extends its sincerest appreciation to President Benigno Aquino III for his trust and confidence.” Hataman said. The region’s recent achievements, including passing Good Governance Conditions, are proof that reforms are felt by the people and that Moros govern well.
“We are also thankful to the members of both the Senate and House of Representatives for sharing our vision for the region. In 26 years, for the first time in history, ARMM received its biggest budget of P24.3 billion.”
“The increase in budget meant more projects and projects with greater and wider impacts. As it did in the past three years, the budget is being spent well for projects that truly promote peace and development and responsive to the needs of the people,” the governor said. (Bureau of Public Information)
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