MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. should map out his plans to achieve development in Mindanao during his first State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday, said Basilan Representative Mujiv Hataman.
He earlier urged Marcos to share his administration’s elaborate roadmap to recovering the economy, handling the COVID-19 pandemic, and sustaining peace, especially in Mindanao.
READ: Solon expects economic recovery roadmap, peace spelled out in Bongbong Marcos’ 1st Sona
In a statement on Saturday, the Basilan lawmaker further outlined issues he hopes to hear from Marcos’ Sona, particularly how the new administration will implement and fund the Marawi Siege Compensation Act — a law signed by Marcos’ predecessor Rodrigo Duterte in April — which aims to provide compensation for properties destroyed during the 2017 Siege of Marawi.
READ: Duterte signs law compensating Marawi Siege victims
“[N]ananawagan ako kay Pangulong Marcos na sana ay matutukan ang Marawi at ang progreso ng Mindanao, at ingatan ang kapayapaan na napakatagal nating ipinaglaban. Hinog na sa pag-unlad ang Mindanao dahil sa kapayapaang nakamit natin nitong mga nakaraang taon,” he said.
(I am calling on President Marcos to focus on progress in Mindanao, specifically in Marawi, and to protect the peace we’ve long been fighting for. Mindanao is now ready for development after spending so many years trying to achieve peace.)
According to Hataman, the aftermath of the Marawi siege is still plaguing many of its citizens, so he renewed the call for the Marcos administration to continue pursuing development in the community.
“Sa target na pagtatapos ng Marawi [rehabilitation] ngayong taon, sana ay maibigay na sa kanila ang pondo na maaari nilang gamitin upang makabangon at makapagsimulang muli sa kanilang pagbabalik sa kanilang mga tahanan,” he said.
(With the targeted completion of the Marawi rehabilitation this year, I hope all the victims will receive their compensation which they can use to rebuild their lives upon finally returning to their homes.)
READ: Bongbong Marcos on Marawi rehab: ‘Tinatapos na ni Pangulong Duterte’
Hataman later added: “May kapayapaan na tayong nasimulan, marapat lamang na sundan natin ito ng mga programa at proyektong pangkaunlaran.”
(We have already started regaining peace, so it’s only right that the government continues pursuing programs and projects to stay on this path of development.)
“Nais rin nating marinig ang kanyang plano sa [Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao], kung paanong mapapayabong ang kapayapaang nakamit sa Bangsamoro at paano pag-iibayuhin ang pagsisikap para mapanatili ito,” he also noted.
(I also want to hear his plans for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, particularly how the administration can strengthen and constantly endeavor peace and order in Bangsamoro.)
Aside from Marcos’ plans for Mindanao, Hataman said he expects to hear the new administration’s priorities in the national budget, as well as its agenda for the economy, agri-fisheries sector, and food security.
RELATED STORIES
Hataman files resolution seeking probe into hajj issues