The Bangsamoro peace process will serve as the lynchpin of
the country’s 12th National Peace Consciousness Month, with the two-pronged
objective of encouraging Congress to finish the work on the Bangsamoro Basic
Law (BBL) while at the same time continuing to raise awareness and
understanding on the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.
Government chief peace negotiator Prof. Miriam
Coronel-Ferrer said this year’s observance “comes at a most opportune time as
the leadership of both Houses of Congress are eyeing a September passage of the
BBL.”
On separate occasions, both Senate President Franklin Drilon
and House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. made public pronouncements that there
was still time to pass their respective BLBARs (Basic Law for the Bangsamoro
Autonomous Region), the amended version of the BBL, in September.
“September has always been an important month for us in the
peace process. This year will be extra special and memorable if our esteemed
lawmakers in the House of Representatives and the Senate will finally finish
their work on the Bangsamoro law,” commented Ferrer.
The chief negotiator also shared that the OPAPP was planning
several activities for the month-long commemoration.
OPAPP has been leading the annual celebration of the
National Peace Consciousness Month by virtue of Proclamation No. 675 series of
2004. The highlight of last year’s celebration came when the Office of the
President transmitted the original BBL which was drafted by the Bangsamoro
Transition Commission.
Focusing on the Bangsamoro, Ferrer added that the agency
would be launching a series of exhibits around Metro Manila and parts of Mindanao with the assistance of several government
agencies, major shopping malls, and universities.
“Beyond just calling for the passage of the bill, the
purpose of these exhibits is to bring closer to the Filipino people the stories
and dreams of our fellow Filipino brothers and sisters in the prospective
Bangsamoro.”
Ferrer commented that the “exhibits will hopefully enable
and empower the general public to engage in continuing dialogue on the
Bangsamoro and the legislative process involving the BBL.” She said there are
plans to put up information and education materials in public spaces to
increase awareness on the peace process.
Accordingly, the said exhibit will first grace Miriam College
Starting Sept. 14 , the same exhibit can be viewed at the College of Arts
and Science, University of the Philippines Manila (UP Manila
The House of Representatives will also serve as another
venue for the Bangsamoro exhibit starting from Sept. 14 to 17.
The exhibits will focus on providing information and
clarifying misconceptions on the draft law.
This September, the general public can also expect to spot
public utility vehicles in Metro Manila and Mindanao
carrying messages on the BBL. Various tricycle drivers and associations have
agreed to carry the said advertisements, pointing out the need to bring closer
to the public the Bangsamoro message of peace and social justice.
“I can’t stress enough the importance of keeping the
Bangsamoro peace process in the consciousness of the public because the best
opportunity to end the decades of alienation and hostility is now with
us,"explained Ferrer.
Ferrer also invited everyone to keep an eye on the official
OPAPP website as various activities and contests were also being planned.
“We are bringing the peace month to the social media. The
OPAPP will be launching several online-only events aligned with the objectives
of the Bangsamoro peace process,” she said.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=798522
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