Gov’t vows more funds for Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines - The government has pledged to allocate more funds to Mindanao to ensure better social services and more development projects for its people now that lasting peace is at hand with the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said the administration is set to create a national budget that would be more responsive to the needs of communities in areas included in the Bangsamoro, or those under the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

“This way, we can ensure that the progress we are making will benefit the Bangsamoro in a sure and sustainable way,” Abad said in a statement Friday.

He said Bangsamoro communities would finally gain wider access to key social and economic services, including public education, healthcare and infrastructure development in the region.

He said lasting peace would usher in progress and transform Bangsamoro communities into tourism and investment hubs.

“It’s especially important to note the positive impact of the peace pact not just on the ARMM, but also on the rest of the Philippines. With the assurance of peace and security in the country, we can expect increased confidence from foreign investors keen on doing business in the Philippines,” Abad pointed out.

He said the signing of the peace pact between the government and the MILF was a remarkable story of success for the Filipino people, considering that peace had long been elusive to many impoverished Bangsamoro communities.

“The peace agreement between the government and the Bangsamoro will shape the country’s strategy for ensuring lasting peace, as well as improve socio-economic development in the ARMM,” he said.

WB lauds accord

The World Bank Group has joined the global community in congratulating the Philippines and the MILF for the signing of the CAB.

The WB, along with development partners and other stakeholders, has been supporting peace and inclusive growth in Mindanao.

“We shall continue to scale up efforts to support programs that will broker sustainable peace and development in the Bangsamoro and Mindanao as a whole,” the WB said.

In his speech during the signing ceremony on Thursday, President Aquino thanked foreign governments and other partners for helping Mindanao develop.

He also lauded ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman for demonstrating what could be achieved through good leadership.

Under Hataman, ghost projects were avoided because funds go directly to agencies and not to local officials’ “farm-to-pocket roads.”

The President said that while “we shared the view that the system as presently crafted is susceptible to abuse by the wrong leaders,” Hataman worked for “true transformation that lends itself to permanence.”

“And now, after all his achievements, he willingly steps aside. That is the sort of leader we need: focused on the other, and not on himself,” Aquino said.

Enticing foreign investors

Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday it will work closely with other government agencies to encourage foreign investors to do business in Mindanao.

“Attracting investments to Mindanao is certainly something the DFA, in coordination with other agencies like DTI (Department of Trade and Industry), should plan next and do,” DFA spokesman Charles Jose said in a text message to The STAR.

The region’s economy has remained dormant despite its rich resources due to instability and security problem with armed groups.

Jose said many countries have expressed interest to invest in Mindanao.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said Mindanao has large tracts of agricultural land that can be used by multinational companies for commercial farming.

“Companies can be confident of profits since the vastness of the region ensures economies of scale and a steady supply of workers and investors,” he said.

The region is known for its top agricultural exports such as refined coconut oil, banana and pineapple.

Organic rice is now being grown in Cotabato and is exported to Dubai. In Bukidnon, peking duck is being raised for export.

“If we have the right technology, the right government intervention, people in Mindanao can embrace peaceful means of livelihood, especially in the agriculture sector,” Alcala said.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) will be discussing with Malacañang farm-based livelihood initiatives in Mindanao.

The agriculture-based interventions in former war-torn Bangsamoro areas will be folded in the Sajahatra Bangsamoro program, the administration’s master plan aimed at improving the quality of life in MILF communities.

These include the construction of farm-to-market roads and small-scale irrigation systems among other farm-related assistance.

The DA will be laying down P212.9 million in initial support for Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao and Socsksargen as well as the provinces of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga Sibugay, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, South Cotabato, Maguindanao, Davao Oriental, and North Cotabato.

Protect gains from peace pact

Meanwhile, lawmakers yesterday called for vigilance in protecting the gains from the forging of the peace agreement between the government and the MILF.

Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said the signing of the CAB boosts the security and economic prospects of Mindanao. – Aurea Calica, Helen Flores, Czeriza Valencia, Paolo Romero, Roel Pareño