Thursday, December 4, 2014

MILF: BLMI and MILF Political Committee embark on advocacies on BBL in Zamboanga City

Posted to the MILF Website (Dec 4): BLMI and MILF Political Committee embark on advocacies on BBL in Zamboanga City



The Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute (BLMI), provincial political committee and community leaders in Zamboanga City recently embarked on massive advocacy programs and fora on the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) and the GPH-MILF Peace Agreements in various villages with the aim to enlighten the people in the grass roots level in far-flung areas and coastal villages.
   
On November 26, 2014, peace advocates held one-day advocacy on BBL in Barangay Tulungatung, Zamboanga City where non-Moro residents and community leaders attended.

Mr. Tirso Tahir, BLMI Research Unit Officer and member of the institute’s Steering Committee lectured on BBL and focused on proposed bill’s 18 articles and sections through power point presentation for the audiences to comprehend them properly.  

Another peace advocacy on BBL was held in Lustre at Barangay Santa Catalina, same city on November 27 where local residents and community leaders from neighboring villages also attended.

One participant said, “We are hoping that city officials will respect Moro constitutional rights to petition for the inclusion of our village in the plebiscite for the ratification of the BBL”. Such rights are guaranteed by the 1987 Philippines Constitution” “The issue here is not only about contiguity but our rights to participate in a political exercise”, he further said.

Tahir mentioned some vital contents of the BBL by underlining the provision on ‘contiguity’. He also clarified some issues by using layman’s term so it can be easily understood.

In response to fisher folks’ clamor for clear understanding of BBL, community leaders in the island village of Zamboanga City held a separate advocacy in a private compound at Barangay Mampang on November 28 where similar issues were raised. The speakers used Tagalog and local Tau sug and Sama dialects so that their audience can easily grasp what the speakers were talking about.

On November 29, the peace advocates proceeded to Barangay Cawit, Zamboanga City to attend a forum organized for the local residents. Some asked what can an ordinary Moro in Zamboanga City benefit once their village is included into the Bangsamoro?

Mr. Tahir cited the provisions of BBL on Wealth and Power-Sharing where the Bangsamoro Government can enjoy fiscal autonomy and exercise various powers. The Moros be they are in contiguous areas or outside can partake from the benefits that Bangsamoro may derive from the exercise of its powers and wealth gained from its natural resources.  

On December 1, another advocacy on BBL was conducted in Barangay Sangali. The program was held inside a madrasah building where residents willingly attended. Issues on contiguity and plebiscite were once again the concerns of the local folks.

The speaker said that the basic law has said much on such issues. The collective wisdom of Congress shall be guided by the Constitution in conformity with the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) in the course of enacting the BBL.

The MILF Provincial Political Committee in Zamboanga City,  BLMI and various CSO, NGO’s PO’s had been intensifying advocacies in different ways but similar objectives to ensure a wider acceptability of the BBL for it shall redound to lasting  peace  and development that every Moro is yearning for. 
http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/1386-blmi-and-milf-political-committee-embark-on-advocacies-on-bbl-in-zamboanga-city

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