WHY ZAMBOANGA? City Administrator Antonio Orendain asked Tony Sakalahul, Regional Managing Officer (RMO) of Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) for Zamboanga-Basilan ( ZamBas ) Region, after knowing the latter purpose of visit to the Mayor's Office.
"Why not give it to other place in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)?” Orendain added, referring to the proposed infra project which is supposed to be awarded to the poor and needy people of Sacol Island. A warehouse and a Solar Dryer are to be constructed particularly in Barangay Landang Lawum upon validation of the area by the BDA inspecting team and with the green light of Mayor Maria Isabel Climaco- Salazar.
The administrator had to say about the unpredictable outcome of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) as an excuse for the obvious refusal of BDA Development offer.
Sakalahul made it clear to Orendain by explaining the mandate, the mission, the vision and the scope of areas covered for development by the BDA.
"BDA is one of the two institutions born out of peace negotiation between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), whose mandate is not bind by the ratification or promulgation of the BBL. The other one is the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute (BLMI).
From its advent in as early as year 2001 it has always been engaged in implementing various internationally funded projects in Mindanao. Even in Luzon and Visayas regions we can extend our services if needs arises," Sakalahul emphasized.
"Even if BBL could not make it to what it should be, BDA shall continue to exist by virtue of its development mandate", he added.
A member of Mindanao Alliance for Peace and Development (MAPAD) who accompanied Sakalahul interfered in the course of conversation saying, " I am also a legitimate Zamboangueño but I don’t see nothing wrong if the city government would allow some internationally-funded projects implemented by the BDA in some of our 98 Barangays especially in far flung island barangays such as Landang Lawum, among others."
Orendain told the BDA officials that there is no need for them to put up development projects in Sacol Island or anywhere in 98 barangays in Zamboanga City. This is because the City Government has its own development plan for the entire city.
Driven by suspicion that the BDA is MILF-run agency, Orendain cited Zamboanga City constituents' perception over the presence of the Moro front in the city as a serious security threat. "First, he said, the establishment of Political Committee Office in barangay Kawit. Second, recently the aborted Mining activity in barangay Baluno. We can no longer allow third incident", he asserted.
Whereupon, Sakalahul reacted and explained further that the BDA programs are being sanctioned by the GPH and the MILF as well as the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP). This is probably the best time for us to provide assistance to your constituents if you allow us to show our good intention as we have nobly done during the distribution of our donated relief goods to evacuees in the Grandstand, Taluksangay and Baliwasan on November of 2013. We even had picture taking with the Mayor in her office”, Sakalahul recalled.
Hesitant to say directly "NO", hiding his true gesture of refusal, Orendain told BDA officials to wait until the people of Zamboanga is consulted. Thereupon, Sakalahul asked," Until how long shall we have to wait? We have timeframe to beat. We've got no luxury of time. We are tasked by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to get the validation job done by August 18 2014."
In that case, Orendain straightforwardly responded, "LOOK FOR ANOTHER PLACE OUTSIDE ZAMBOANGA CITY."
No amount of words can change the mind of the Hispanic Zamboangueños on matters related to Bangsamoro. Be it good or bad for as long as it is BM, their response is always NO.
In spite of being affected by the straightforwardness of the Hispanic Zamboangueño, Sakalahul and company left the City Hall with friendly gesture. With this, no doubt the Moros in Zamboanga City would be deprived of benefits the envisioned Bangsamoro Government would have to offer if they do not act something for a change.
http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/1159-zamboanga-city-turns-down-jica-funded-bda-project
The administrator had to say about the unpredictable outcome of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) as an excuse for the obvious refusal of BDA Development offer.
Sakalahul made it clear to Orendain by explaining the mandate, the mission, the vision and the scope of areas covered for development by the BDA.
"BDA is one of the two institutions born out of peace negotiation between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), whose mandate is not bind by the ratification or promulgation of the BBL. The other one is the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute (BLMI).
From its advent in as early as year 2001 it has always been engaged in implementing various internationally funded projects in Mindanao. Even in Luzon and Visayas regions we can extend our services if needs arises," Sakalahul emphasized.
"Even if BBL could not make it to what it should be, BDA shall continue to exist by virtue of its development mandate", he added.
A member of Mindanao Alliance for Peace and Development (MAPAD) who accompanied Sakalahul interfered in the course of conversation saying, " I am also a legitimate Zamboangueño but I don’t see nothing wrong if the city government would allow some internationally-funded projects implemented by the BDA in some of our 98 Barangays especially in far flung island barangays such as Landang Lawum, among others."
Orendain told the BDA officials that there is no need for them to put up development projects in Sacol Island or anywhere in 98 barangays in Zamboanga City. This is because the City Government has its own development plan for the entire city.
Driven by suspicion that the BDA is MILF-run agency, Orendain cited Zamboanga City constituents' perception over the presence of the Moro front in the city as a serious security threat. "First, he said, the establishment of Political Committee Office in barangay Kawit. Second, recently the aborted Mining activity in barangay Baluno. We can no longer allow third incident", he asserted.
Whereupon, Sakalahul reacted and explained further that the BDA programs are being sanctioned by the GPH and the MILF as well as the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP). This is probably the best time for us to provide assistance to your constituents if you allow us to show our good intention as we have nobly done during the distribution of our donated relief goods to evacuees in the Grandstand, Taluksangay and Baliwasan on November of 2013. We even had picture taking with the Mayor in her office”, Sakalahul recalled.
Hesitant to say directly "NO", hiding his true gesture of refusal, Orendain told BDA officials to wait until the people of Zamboanga is consulted. Thereupon, Sakalahul asked," Until how long shall we have to wait? We have timeframe to beat. We've got no luxury of time. We are tasked by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to get the validation job done by August 18 2014."
In that case, Orendain straightforwardly responded, "LOOK FOR ANOTHER PLACE OUTSIDE ZAMBOANGA CITY."
No amount of words can change the mind of the Hispanic Zamboangueños on matters related to Bangsamoro. Be it good or bad for as long as it is BM, their response is always NO.
In spite of being affected by the straightforwardness of the Hispanic Zamboangueño, Sakalahul and company left the City Hall with friendly gesture. With this, no doubt the Moros in Zamboanga City would be deprived of benefits the envisioned Bangsamoro Government would have to offer if they do not act something for a change.
http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/1159-zamboanga-city-turns-down-jica-funded-bda-project
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