COTABATO CITY – The successful application of good governance in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is proof of the Aquino administration’s commitment to its “Tuwid na Daan” objective, said Gov. Mujiv Hataman said on President Benigno Aquino’s last state-of-the-nation address on Monday.
“We are greatly indebted to the Aquino administration for the overflowing support that apparently emanated from its trust and confidence that we can stir positive change and ignite sustainable development in the region, Gov. Hataman said.
The current ARMM administration, according to Hataman, drew inspiration from the Aquino administration in pursuing a good governance agenda that eliminated practices of corruption and improved delivery of services to the people.
No less than Aquino himself branded ARMM a failed experiment. In May, however, ARMM passed the national government’s Good Governance Conditions, a first time in the region’s history. For regional officials, the recognition reflected how effective the reforms are, as it showed the “revitalized and reformed autonomous region.”
“Many doubted our agenda. Many doubted our objectives. Many doubted that we can make change possible in ARMM. But we proved them all wrong,” Hataman said. “We saw the influx of investments and today, the business sector continues to put a keen interest in us. Economic investments are at an all-time high, funding for infrastructure, especially in connecting the island provinces to the mainland, have been approved, and renewed support for the agricultural sector has been felt by our farmers and fisherfolk across the region.”
Hataman cited how investments boosted the local economy resulting in increased employment and improved income for residents. The construction of more infrastructure facilities means better mobility for his constituents as well as improved access to goods and services. Additional support extended to ARMM farmers means more food on the table and a better life for farmers and fisherfolk, he said further.
The governor underscored, however, that the joint commitment of the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front for peace on the island is the biggest legacy the current national leadership would leave, noting no other administration has dared to go all-out to support the Mindanao peace process.
“Our dream is for the next governments to continue what we have started; to sustain the reforms we have worked so hard for, and to provide us with opportunities to chart our own path as people of the Bangsamoro,” he said.
Hataman’s full statement was sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner and read: “The Aquino administration will surely be remembered for its good governance and for how it accomplished reforms.
From this, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao took inspiration, pursuing our own agenda of good governance that shattered well-entrenched and deeply-rooted practices of corruption and inept systems that took a toll on the development of the region and its people.
We are greatly indebted to the Aquino administration for the overwhelming support that emanated from its trust and confidence that we can stir positive change and ignite sustainable development in the region. Needless to say, the regional government is one of the strongest testaments to the president’s commitment in keeping his promise to lead us along the straight path – the Tuwid na Daan.
Many doubted our agenda. Many doubted our objectives. Many doubted that we can make change possible in ARMM. Many doubted that the Moro people can make it. Many doubted that we can prove them wrong. But we proved them all wrong.
We saw the influx of investments and today, the business sector continues to maintain a keen interest on us. Economic investments are at an all-time high, funding for infrastructure especially in connecting the island provinces to the mainland have been approved, and renewed support for the agricultural sector has been felt by our farmers and fisherfolk across the region. The translation of these investments, apart from better regional economic figures and development statistics, is a better life for our people.
An improved economy means more and more jobs and more and more people getting employed. Improved infrastructure means better mobility for our people, along with the farm products. Renewed support for our agricultural sector means more food on our tables and a better life for our farmers and fisherfolk.
But above everything else, our greatest investment towards the life we wish for ourselves and our children is our joint commitment in the peace negotiations. No other administration has dared to give all-out support to the peace process between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. No other administration has shown its all-out support to the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law or BBL – believing that it will make the lives of the Moro people better as it will keep Mindanao more competitive, more attractive to investors, more peaceful and secured.
Our dream is for the next government to continue what we have started; to sustain the reforms we have worked so hard for, and to provide us with opportunities to chart our own path as people of the Bangsamoro. As the Aquino administration draws to a close, we remember our humble beginnings as a region that has struggled for decades. We remember the challenges we have faced and how through the smallest of victories, we have built strong foundations that became our doors for greater triumphs. But what we will remember most of all is how this administration has dared to do what no other administration has — to fight for peace, to support those who have fought for peace, and to commit itself to the fight until it arrives at the only acceptable resolution: truth, justice and peace.” (Bureau of Public Information, Mindanao Examiner)
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