Success of GPH-MILF peace negotiations contributes to reforms in ARMM --Hataman

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 4): Success of GPH-MILF peace negotiations contributes to reforms in ARMM --Hataman

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Mujiv S. Hataman recognizes that the success of the peace negotiations between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is one of the important contributing factors to the achievement of socioeconomic reforms in ARMM under his stewardship.

“Ito po ay bunga ng matagumpay na usapang pangkapayapaan sa pagitan ng GPH at MILF (This is the fruit of the successful peace negotiations between the GPH and the MILF),” said Hataman during his second State-of-the-Region Address (SORA) held at the Shariff Kabunsuan Complex in Cotabato City on Dec. 1.

Hataman related that the dreadful peace and order situation in the region before the success of the peace negotiations prevented economic investments from coming in.

“Ngayon, dahil sa ating inayos na burukrasya at pamamalakad sa ARMM, kasabay ang matagumpay na usapang pangkapayapaan, tumaas ang kumpyansa ng mga negosyante (Now, because of the reforms in the bureaucracy and governance of ARMM, together with the success of the peace negotiations, investor confidence has improved)," he said.

“Sa third quarter pa lang ngayong taon, pumalo sa mataas na record na Php3.372 billion ang halaga ng investments, higit doble pa ito sa naitala nating investments sa nakaraang taon (As of the third quarter of this year, investments in the region has reached a significantly high record of Php3.372 billion, which is more than double compared to investments in the previous year),” Hataman said.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles affirmed that Hataman was indeed able to deliver the reforms needed in ARMM, saying that he's proven that he's worthy of the trust and confidence of President Benigno Aquino III who appointed him to serve as officer-in-charge of the ARMM in 2011 prior to being elected to the post in 2013.

"Masaya talaga tayo na itong term ni Regional Governor Hataman... naitawid niya ng husto ang ARMM doon sa inaasam-asam na Bangsamoro (We are very happy that during Regional Governor Hataman's term... he was able to steer the region towards the right direction in preparation for the envisioned Bangsamoro)," Deles said.

Improved services in conflict-affected areas through PAMANA

Hataman also gave credit to Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA), which is the Philippine government’s program for peace and development in conflict-affected areas.

“Patuloy ang ating pagsusumikap na makapaghatid ng serbisyo, lalong-lalo na sa mga conflict-affected areas sa pamamagitan ng programang Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan o PAMANA (We continue to strive in delivering basic services, especially to the conflict-affected areas through the PAMANA program,” he said.

He presented the successful projects under the PAMANA program such as the “roads to peace” and livelihood projects which also benefited Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) communities.

“Ang PAMANA ay namamahagi din ng mga suporta sa pangkabuhayan, partikular na sa mga communities ng mga kapatid nating MNLF (PAMANA is also providing livelihood support, particularly in the communities of our MNLF brothers and sisters,” said Hataman.

More opportunities for reforms in Bangsamoro

Hataman said that despite the current positive changes in ARMM through the reforms initiated under his leadership, “mas malaki ang opportunity for reforms kung maipapasa ang Bangsamoro Bill (There will be bigger opportunities for reform if the Bangsamoro Bill will be passed into law).”

“Ibibigay sa atin ng itatayong Bangsamoro ang pagkakataong pag-ibayuhin ang mga tagumpay na ating nakamit ngayon (The establishment of the Bangsamoro will give us the chance to cultivate the successes that we have achieved now),” the ARMM governor said.

Believing that the “Bangsamoro will be the realization of the Bangsamoro people’s dream,” Hataman urged the people of ARMM to support it. “Salubungin natin ito. Yakapin natin ito ng buong puso (Let us welcome this [Bangsamoro]. Let us embrace this [Bangsamoro] with all our hearts),” said Hataman.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=712789