PARTNERSHIP --- Parliament Speaker
Pangalian M. Balindong (4th from left) and Deputy Speaker Hatimil E. Hassan
(center) are joined by delegates from the Embassy of Japan led by its Deputy
Chief of Mission Yasushi Yamamoto (3rd from left) and officials from the United
Nations Philippines during the “Bangsamoro Friends Forum” held at the Shariff
Kabunsuan Cultural Complex. The Japanese government reaffirmed earlier its
support to development of the infant Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim
Mindanao. (GALao, OPS, BTA PARLIAMENT, MINDANAO EXPOSE')
COTABATO CITY --- The Embassy of Japan
together with the United Nations Philippines hosted last February 18 the “Bangsamoro Friends Forum” held at the
Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex, this city.
The
one-day activity was attended by members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority
(BTA) Parliament, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)
ministers, partner stakeholders, and representatives from the Office of the
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).
The
forum served as venue in sharing key developments related to the Bangsamoro
Peace Process and of the BTA in order to identify the needs and the gaps.
For the
Normalization, topics included were the progress of decommissioning, security,
socio-economic development, confidence building measures, transitional justice
and reconciliation, and the Bangsamoro Normalization Trust Fund.
Inter-Governmental
Relations Body was also tackled, while part of the BTA covered the First
Bangsamoro Development Plan and Development Priorities and the Summary of
Budget Appropriation.
In a
statement, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Japan Yasushi Yamamoto has
pledged to continue their full support for the BARMM through projects that will
bring greater stability and prosperity in the region.
“Japan
will always be devoted to help in the Mindanao peace process,” Yamamoto
emphasized.
Speaker
Pangalian M. Balindong said the avowed objectives of the BARMM must be centered
around a common goal, which is to improve socio-economic condition such as
better healthcare, more productive agricultural programs, better roads ,
bridges, seaports and airports, better educational programs with special
program for Madaris and Islamic education, better communication portals and
facilities, as well as wider variety of occupational opportunities for those
who seek jobs.
“In
order to address the needs and gaps encompassing such objectives and its
dynamics, we must be able to adopt an achievable, doable, feasible program to
address specific challenges and constraints within a specific time frame. If we
begin correctly by adopting the appropriate programs and policies, we have by
then installed a strong foundation from which succeeding administration of
BARMM could base its socio-economic and political platforms,” Balindong
stressed.
Balindong
added with the steadfast involvement of all the ministries and offices, as well
as active participation of international donors and partners, materializing all
relevant initiatives geared towards lasting peace shall now become more
attainable.
“We are
now properly positioned to pursue our vision through enactment of valuable
laws, and officially empowered to make things happen,” he said.
Bangsamoro
Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim expressed his gratitude to the Embassy of
Japan for their continuous support in the BARMM.
“We are
fortunate to build friendships with those who support the Bangsamoro, who can
stand through the test of time” and “go beyond the halls of bureaucracy and
formalities,” Ebrahim said.
The
activity was also supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency. (GALAO,
OPS, BTA PARLIAMENT, MINDANAO EXPOSE')
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