Noy seen to highlight ARMM progress

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines  – President Aquino is expected to highlight in his sixth and final State of the Nation Address (SONA) today positive developments in the graft-riddled Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), according to regional governor Mujiv Hataman.

The President would likely note progress in infrastructure projects, the cadastral survey and the peace process, Hataman said.

Hataman said in the infrastructure sector alone, the Aquino administration had poured in about P30 billion for the construction of roads, bridges, town halls, schools, health centers and marketplaces in the region.

“If we are going to sum that up, even if we combine the whole administrations from the time of Marcos until Arroyo, I believe the administration of President Noy (accomplished much) just within six years,” he said.

He added that the cadastral survey in the ARMM, which had been overlooked by the previous administrations, was given P1 million by the Aquino government.

Hataman said the conduct of the cadastral survey was important for them particularly for the planning of land use by local governments.

The ARMM governor also said he expects the President to mention the ongoing peace negotiations, which were reportedly derailed due to the clash between police forces and Moro fighters in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last Jan. 25.

Hataman expressed confidence that the ARMM is ready for the new Bangsamoro region without providing further details.

Meanwhile, a peace advocacy group noted that most of those opposing the Bangsamoro Basic Law in its present form cite the non-inclusive nature of the negotiations.