UNO offers to help in Mindanao dev't plan

Though he has always been very critical of the Arroyo government’s decisions, policies, and actions, Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay said yesterday that he and the United Opposition are willing to participate in the drafting of a comprehensive plan for the economic development of Mindanao.

In light of the Supreme Court’s ruling declaring the agreement between the Arroyo administration and secessionist rebels as unconstitutional, he said all sectors and political groups must now work together for sustainable peace in the island.

“We hope that Malacañang will set aside political differences and show its willingness to work with the opposition and all interested groups in arriving at a viable and comprehensive economic development plan for Mindanao,” Binay, also president of UNO, said.

The opposition leader said Malacañang should consider including former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. in a multi-sectoral and bi-partisan team that will draft the economic plan.

The lawmaker earlier suggested a “Mini-Marshall Plan” to rebuild Mindanao which is a proposal that is similar to the one being proposed by Binay himself.

He said that the team should also include representatives from local governments, indigenous communities, foreign governments, and international aid agencies noting that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) should also be invited to join the group.

Binay believes that there will always be unrest in Mindanao unless the social and economic issues that have fueled rebel movements in the island for decades are addressed decisively.

“A peace agreement may provide the political solution but as long as the root cause of political unrest remains, we will never see the full economic potential of Mindanao,” he said.

Under his proposal, Binay said the economic development master plan for Mindanao should tap foreign governments, development agencies and private companies.

He is even calling on the governments of the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia, as well private companies to help in the drafting of such a plan and commit assistance and resources to the same.