Students, community leaders in BARMM favor economic Cha-cha

MANILA, Philippines – Majority of students and community leaders present during a consultative session in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm) said they are in favor of amending the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution, according to Democracy Watch Philippines (DWP).

DWP said it recently organized a consultative session in Cagayan de Oro City, wherein some students echoed what House lawmakers have been saying about the economic charter change — that it will generate more job opportunities in the country.

“We’re OK with foreign investors because (of its) benefits to the people… because we are opening employment. The more we generate employment, we stop combat and (end) poverty,” said Abdul Abedin III of Mindanao State University during the session, based on a statement released by DWP on Sunday.

READ: House approves RBH 7 on third reading

“If we focus on what is in the Philippines, we don’t create employment, we don’t strengthen tourism. We are open to investments (and) to enhance tourism,” Abedin responded to the argument that “Philippines should first look inward.”

Similar to some lawmakers, the students also mentioned countries that opened up their economies to foreign investments, such as Malaysia, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as well as Barmm.

“As Barmm, we have been open to foreign investors, especially in increasing Halal awareness and (developing) the Halal Industry. We see this as a potential just like what happened in Malaysia and Singapore,” Abedin said, adding that the region aims to learn from the UAE.

A business student, Jehvah Rosh Ha-shanah D. Cajilla noted the importance of asking for help if the country’s goal is to be “globally competitive,” as she expressed support for the three economic provisions — public utilities, education, and advertisement — in the Constitution.

“It is good that only the three are for revision. At least one step at a time. Opening this will help us get foreign investments. I don’t think it is negative because in the business world we need investors because without capital, where will you get the money? We need help, we cannot stand alone,” she said.

Aside from the two, DWP said most participants expressed their support for economic cha-cha but wanted the government to strengthen national security. Moreover, some expressed opposition to the amendment to political provisions of the Constitution, such as term extension, among others.

The lower chamber approved Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) 7, which seeks to amend three economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution on the third and final reading in March.

RBH 7 is almost an exact reproduction of RBH No. 6, which was introduced by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, Senators Loren Legarda, and Juan Edgardo Angara before the upper chamber.

The Senate began its deliberations on RBH 6 last February.

Both chambers are expected to continue their discussion by the end of this Month when the session break ends.