Priest to solons: Pass Internally Displaced Persons law

MANILA, Philippines - Cotabato Archbishop Cardinal-elect Orlando Quevedo has called on Congress to pass a bill tht will address the needs of persons caught in armed conflicts and natural disasters in the country.

Archbishop Quevedo said legislators should pass the Internally Displaced Persons Act of 2013, which aims to provide adequate attention to people affected by calamities and armed confrontations between the government and rebels forces.

Once the measure is passed, Arcbhishop Quevedo said it will provide guidance to civil society groups, Church and concerned government agencies in giving priority to the needs of the IDPs.

"Yes kailangan ang batas, kailangan some kind of executive order or directives or even a law is necessary that government agencies and civil society will guided by that kind of law. It would be good with regard to 40 years of conflict in Mindanao," Cardinal-elect Quevedo told Radyo Veritas.

"The advocacy is of course in Church circles. We have been helping first of all active advocacy in terms of help and the Archdiocese of Zamboanga and helping the displaced person because the fighting there between the faction of the MNLF (Moro National Liberation Front) and the government many of theme have not yet been able to go home because of their home are being destroyed," he added.

He said that as of the moment, Church personnel in Mindanao are still helping those victims of typhoons Sendong and Pablo who are remain in makeshift homes.

"We are also appealing to them (government agencies) to fasttrack their project for the displaced persons," he said.