Manila: President Rodrigo Duterte called on newly-installed Bangsamoro leaders to exert their best effort to shepherd the envisioned new and progressive Moro autonomous entity into a reality.
“Always embody the dreams and aspirations of the great men and women who came before you and fought for the recognition of your right to determine your future,” Duterte said during the recent oath taking of the members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA).
The BTA is an 80-member governing body tasked to pass crucial legislations to operationalise the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) and exercise executive powers during the transition period.
During its meeting last Friday, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Chair Murad Ibrahim was chosen to lead the BTA.
“As you lead this new region towards a brighter tomorrow, I ask you never to waver in your commitment to build an institution that is founded on the rule of law, the promotion of good governance, and the defence of our most cherished democratic values,” Duterte told members of the BTA during the swearing in ceremonies.
Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. said that the successful conduct of plebiscite for the Bangsamoro region last January 21 and February 6 confirmed the yearning of residents in the predominantly Muslim areas for peace.
“The passage and eventual ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law by a majority of residents in the region was a concrete manifestation of the people’s overwhelming support for the future BARMM government,” he said.
The plebiscite resulted in the ratification of BOL and the expansion of its territory to include Cotabato City and 63 villages in North Cotabato, confirmed that the people have been yearning for peace and progress.
The BTA will preside over the transition from the present Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
The MILF had fought for the establishment of a Moro self-rule region since the 1990s.
In 1998 the government and the MILF started negotiations for a peace settlement to the decades-long conflict the cost the lives of thousands of civilians and combatants and had stunted economic growth in the region.
Last year, Duterte signed into law the BOL.
Upon its establishment, the BTA will enact the Bangsamoro codes for Administrative, Revenue, Electoral, Local Government, and Education.
The transition government will also organise the bureaucracy of the Bangsamoro government in the transition period, which includes the approval and implementation of a transition plan, institution of a credible placement for hiring personnel, set up of offices and institutions for continued function of government, and ensure smooth operations of the first elected Bangsamoro Government in 2022.
Likewise, both sides will also oversee the demobilisation of tens of thousands of former MILF fighters and take steps to prevent them from gravitating towards extremism.
The Moro peace process was also made possible through the help of the Organisation of Islamic Conference, the Malaysian government as well as various other non-government bodies.
