Noy sees ‘new chapter’ in Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines - It’s time for a new chapter in Mindanao to unfold.

Speaking before the 2nd Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Local Government Units Summit on Governance and Development in Davao City yesterday, President Aquino rallied the people to support the government’s peace initiatives to ensure success in the long term.

Aquino called on stakeholders to give their all for the sake of peace and development that had long evaded the South, rather than focus on what they could get.

Aquino compared the situation to planting a seed and then nurturing it with fertilizer and enough sunshine so it would fully bloom and bear fruit.

The President underscored the importance of the spirit of volunteerism and collective effort of the people in attaining a lasting peace in Mindanao.

He added the current leadership of the ARMM has made a lot of sacrifices as the region transitioned into another phase of its history.

“The best advice I got was, we win when we think of how the other can win, instead of how we can win,” he said.

Aquino said the signing of several components of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) as well as other initiatives being undertaken by the government would lead to systemic reforms in the region.

He said the Land of Promise must finally realize its potential with long-term reforms.

Aquino said Mindanao had actually started to move to a new era of better governance towards an improved society, noting the region was now able to free itself from repeating the errors of the past.

“I am excited for the day the Bangsamoro Basic Law will be passed to finally open a new chapter in Muslim Mindanao’s history,” he said.

Under the agreement between the government and the MILF, the ARMM will be dissolved to pave the way for a Bangsamoro government.

The complete agreement between the two parties is expected to be finished by March.

The President thanked the leadership of ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman for carrying out reforms in the region, calling him the region’s “ghost buster.”

The only hurdles in Mindanao’s quest for enduring peace are the doubts and fears of the people  that could cause them to commit the same mistakes that happened in the past, he said.

This is the reason why the people should give peace a chance in Mindanao.

Hataman led the local officials of the ARMM in expressing their support for the transition to the proposed Bangsamoro government.

Hataman, the members of the regional government, the governors of the four provinces and the municipal mayors in the ARMM presented a resolution of support to Aquino at the closing ceremony of the summit. – With Edith Regalado, Roel Pareño, Cecille Suerte Felipe