President Aquino launches Sajahatra Bangsamoro in Maguindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 11): President Aquino launches Sajahatra Bangsamoro in Maguindanao

President Benigno S. Aquino III led the formal launching of the Sajahatra Bangsamoro project Monday which is aimed at accelerating the transition of conflict-affected communities into productive areas while the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) iron out the final peace agreement with the Muslim secessionists.

In his message during the launching ceremonies here, the President said the program intends to provide education, health care and education to poor Muslim communities to empower them.  "Simula pa lamang po itong Sajahatra Bangsamoro Program; isang sangay sa malawak na istratehiya ng pag-aangat ng buhay ng ating mga mamamayan, at pagsigurong walang Pilipinong maiiwan sa pagtahak ng tuwid na daan,” the President said.

The Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro signed by the government and the MILF is expected to bring a lasting peace in the region after several decades of conflict, he said.

He pointed out that peace entails development for the benefit of the people, adding that this is the reason why the government is optimistic about pushing for further development in the country.

The President acknowledged that it was not easy for the MILF leadership to immediately trust the government at the start of the negotiation because of many years of war.

He noted that the signing of the Framework Agreement became possible because of the mutual trust expressed by both sides. 

The government and the MILF built mutual trust after President Aquino and MILF Chair Al Haj Murad met in Japan in August 2011.

Despite the positive developments that happened, the President said there are groups who still want to derail the quest for a lasting peace in the region.  “Lahat po ng naghirap para makarating sa puntong ito—ang liderato ng MILF, mga LGU na nakikiisa sa ating adhikain, mga coordination agency, mga ulama, mga CSO—pati na rin po ang ating security sector, lahat po ng pinaghirapan natin, mapupunta sa wala... gayong abot-kamay na po ang bunga ng kapayapaang kay tagal nating inasam-asam, ngayon pa ba tayo panghihinaan ng loob?” he stressed.

The President also said the government and the MILF should work double time to seal the final peace deal so that bigger development projects could start in Mindanao. He said the comprehensive peace pact may be signed by March this year.

“Mayroon pa tayong natitirang three years and four months. Dapat naman ho sana’y, sabi nga kanina ni chairman, kailangan maging permanente ito at hindi depende sa mga taong nag-uusap ngayon. So kailangan po nating paspasan lahat ng ginagawa natin para nga maging permanente na ito,” he said.

The project launching, rites which was held at the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute (BLMI), is part of the Aquino administration's socio economic initiatives designed to uplift the health, education and livelihood conditions of the Bangsamoro people.

The MILF, in collaboration with the government, identifies the target beneficiaries while the different government agencies extend the assistance. The government agencies involved are the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corp., Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, Department of Agriculture and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

Among those who accompanied the President Monday were DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro, Transportation and Communication Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, Mindanao Development Authority head Lou Antonino, Commission on Higher Education chief Patricia Licuanan, Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Health Secretary Enrique Ona and Budget Secretary Florencio Abad.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=496421