‘Talk to people, lawmakers about BBL’

DAVAO CITY—An international conflict resolution organization has urged the government and the secessionist Moro  Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to use the interim period between now and the opening of the next Congress to engage in dialogues with legislators and the people who will be affected by a revived Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

“We encourage them to meet with legislators, especially those who opposed  the BBL, as they will scrutinize the bill when it is refiled in the 17th  Congress,” said Judy Gulane, communication specialist for the London-based International Alert (IA).

“We urge them to take the opportunity to dialogue with groups that felt excluded when the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, the basis of the BBL, and the BBL were drafted,” she said in a statement.

Gulane said the IA welcomed the recent statements from the MILF and the government to sustain the peace process despite the 16th Congress’ failure to pass the BBL.

But disappointment over the 16th Congress’ failure to  pass the BBL, when mixed with election-related tensions, would likely become  a “flashpoint” for conflict to occur, she warned.

“Rather than blame the MILF or those who support the law, however, let us take this as a prompt to study the BBL,” Gulane said.

“For truly, it represents the Muslim Filipinos’ best chance for  self-determination and our best chance for lasting peace in Mindanao,” she added.

However, she said that what remained a big challenge was how to sustain development in Muslim Mindanao as the country awaits the new Congress. With or without the new law, livelihoods must be created, Gulane said.

The IA has pointed out that despite the marked entry of large investments during the Aquino administration, economic growth in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao remained among the country’s slowest while its poverty level remained among the highest.

In its remaining months in office, the Aquino administration should continue to pour in funds that the region needs, while the incoming government  must heed the region’s growth requirements, she said.

But the burden of development rests as well with the ARMM’s local leaders and private investors, Gulane said.

“We commend the regional official’s promise to forge ahead with their  development plans even without a BBL and the town-level initiatives to draw  investments in their localities,” she said.

“We also commend businesses that have set up shops in the ARMM despite many  uncertainties,” she added.