During a solidarity lunch meeting with members of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) headed by Chairman Mohagher Iqbal and representatives from the sector of the indigenous people on Friday, May 23, 2014 at EDSA-Shangrila Hotel in Mandaluyong City, Secretary Teresita Deles of the Office of the Presidential Advises on the Peace Process (OPAPP) stressed the inclusiveness of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB)saying that it has always been about protecting the rights of all Filipinos in Mindanao, including the rights of indigenous peoples (IPs).
“Inclusivity has been and will always be at the heart and core of the Bangsamoro agreement,” Deles said as quoted by reporters during the meeting. She emphasized that “the CAB upholds and protects the rights and welfare of everyone” and ensures broad representation and participation of all sectors, groups, and tribes in the future Bangsamoro autonomous government.
The CAB signed on March 27, 2014 at the ground of the Presidential Palace in Manila is considered as the final political settlement between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). It will put an end to the more than 40-year old bloody conflict that cost the lives of more than a hundred thousand people and displaced about 400 thousands native inhabitants of the region since the revolutionary war started in 1968.
On his part, BTC Chair Mohagher Iqbal said that they have ensured the inclusion of IP concerns in the draft law. He discussed some provisions which include among others: the right of the IPs for native titles and respect to indigenous customs and traditions, justice systems, and political structures; right to an equitable share in the revenues from utilization of resources in their ancestral land; right to free and prior and informed consent; right to political participation including at least two reserved seats for the IPs in the parliament; right to basic services; and right to freedom of choice to self-identity.
Iqbal thanked the commissioners who represent IPs in the BTC, namely Froilyn Mendoza and Melanio Ulama, and IP’s advocating for IP concerns as he called on IP stakeholders and champions to continue the advocacy towards the passage of the BBL.
Deles lauded “the commitment of the BTC to ensure the recognition and active provisions with respect to the rights of indigenous people in the prospective Bangsamoro" and cited its efforts in creating a “Task Force for IP concerns.”
The Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (CHD) and the European Union assist the work of the BTC Task Force for Indigenous Peoples. Also present at the solidarity lunch were Cotabato 2nd District Rep. Nancy Catamco, officials of the ARMM, representatives from Congress, and Upi town Mayor Ramon Piang who was formerly an alternate member of the GPH Peace Panel representing the IPs.
Catamco cited her full support for the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law that will be deliberated in Congress and for the recognition of the rights of Indigenous Peoples in the law. “The creation of the Bangsamoro is an achievement itself by every Moro and non-Moro Indigenous Peoples.”
Cardinal Orlando Quevedo also gave a video message for the occasion where he expressed confidence that issues of indigenous peoples have been “sufficiently covered and dealt with” in the draft basic law.
Deles announced that the Office of the President and the BTC will submit the draft law to Congress next month. “The Office of the President has been working overtime to complete its review of the draft for submission and approval of the President and even the President has already been going over the draft himself,” Deles said. (Source OPAPP website)
http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/1000-opapp-secretary-deles-stresses-inclusiveness-of-cab
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