Aquino: BBL will push Mindanao, PH to global spotlight

President Benigno S. Aquino III leads the Ceremonial Switch-on of the 300- Megawatt (MW) Davao Baseload Power Plant, Davao Base load Power Plant Complex, Boundary of Bgy. Binugao, Toril, Davao City and Bgy. Inawayan, Sta. Cruz, Davao Del Sur on Friday (January 8, 2016). Also in photo are Mindanao Development Authority (MinDa) chairperson Luwalhati Antonino, Department of Energy Secretary Zenaida Y. Monzada, Aboitiz Power Corporation CEO Erramon I. Aboitiz and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin.This Power plant is one of the critical projects needed to finally solve long term the perennial Mindanao power shortage. This power plant supplies power to more than twenty (20) electric cooperatives and distribution utilities all over Mindanao. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

President Benigno Aquino III on Friday made a new pitch for the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), saying that such would thrust Mindanao and the entire country “further into the global spotlight.”

In his speech at the inauguration of the 300-megawatt Davao baseload power plant, Aquino said the BBL is necessary to be passed at the soonest possible time to ensure “inclusive governance” in the said region.

READ: Aquino to inaugurate 300-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Davao City Friday

“Each time I speak about Mindanao, I mention how the goal for our administration is to transform it, from the Land of Promise, to the Land of Promises Fulfilled, and over the past few years, we have seen the beginnings of this transformation. You have heard me say before that the mode of governance is so dependent [on] ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) on having the right leader,” the President said.

“We need to make sure that his region has a framework that can truly make good, inclusive governance the norm rather than the exception. This is why we need to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law in the soonest possible time. For my part, I believe it would certainly push Mindanao, and the Philippines, further into the global spotlight,” he added.

Furthermore, Aquino said he was set to meet again with lawmakers to push for the passage of the measure that would create an expanded ARMM.

“May meeting kami, if I’m not mistaken, next week with the House of Representatives precisely to push for the passage of the BBL. Si Congressman Rufus Rodriguez tells me na patapos na sila doon sa tinatawag na stage ‘turno en contra’ at pagkatapos ‘non pagbobotohan na. So maganda pa rin ang pag-asa na maipasa ‘yung BBL,” he said.

(We have a meeting, if I’m not mistaken, next week with the House of Representatives precisely to push for the passage of the BBL. Congressman Rufus Rodriguez tells me that they are about to finish the “turno en contra” stage and after that, voting will proceed. So there are high hopes that BBL will be passed.)

With just a few months before stepping down from office, Aquino said the government would remain steadfast to its commitment to peace, vowing to fulfill its promise “to leave Mindanao in a better situation.”

“We will continue to focus the national coffers towards infrastructure development so that those who have historically been left behind are given a boost up so they can catch up; and I am certain that, if we continue working together—both public and private sector alike—we can truly give rise to a Mindanao that reaches its full potential, and prove, once more, that nothing is impossible to a united Filipino people,” said Aquino.

The Senate, which will resume session on Jan. 18, will have only nine full session days before it adjourns to give way to the election campaign. RAM

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