From the Website of MILFArticle links: http://www.luwaran.com/news/article/2318/vastness-of-muslim-mindanao-wealth-inspires-major-donor
Vastness of Muslim Mindanao wealth inspires major donor
COTABATO CITY – The sheer volume of natural potentials within the
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has encouraged
the inception of a major program by the United Nations Development
Program (UNDP).
Its
assistance to peace and development efforts in the South has ranged
from livelihood provision, health and literacy campaigns, support to
local agriculture and fisheries, and conflict resolution education.
Last
year, the donor agency introduced a School for Peace and Democracy, a
specialized course aimed at helping former combatants embrace a peaceful
transition to progress.
In an article published on
the UNDP website, authors Enrico Gaveglia and Chetan Kumar cited some of
the potentials of Mindanao that may be tapped and optimized by peaceful
governance.
Gaveglia is the UNDP Philippines’ Officer-in-Charge while Kumar is the organization’s Peace Programme Team Leader.
They wrote that the BARMM “is one of the wealthiest in the Philippines in terms of natural resources. An Eden on Earth.”
Gaveglia
and Kumar added that “the region boasts of hydroelectric power from
Lake Lanao; plentiful banana, coconuts, mangosteen, and durian
plantations; fish and seaweed from the oceans; and mineral treasures in
the form of basalt, chromite, manganese, gold, silver, and copper.”
Yet,
these competitive advantages were not exploited because “people are
historically more challenged in ‘Eden-like’ environments,” they
lamented, adding that “violent conflict has, for decades, prevented the
sustainable and inclusive utilization of these resources, and damaged
businesses, the environment, and the region’s export potential.”
The
government had inked a peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation
Front in 2014. Four years later, Congress green-lighted a Bangsamoro
Organic Law.
A Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA)
was set up in 2019, the tenure of which is currently the subject of an
intense campaign for an extension.
The BTA’s life span
was originally set by law until 2022. But Muslim and Christian leaders,
as well as grassroots organizations across the BARMM, have called to
extend the period to 2025.
Proponents of the extension
have cited the need for more time to firm up institutional systems and
policies that favor social equity and economic progress.
Gaveglia
and Kumar noted that “the region’s full potential cannot be realized
unless its current leaders—former revolutionaries from the major Moro
armed groups—implement an inclusive vision for peace and sustainable
development.” (PR)
MILF Website
Article links:
http://www.luwaran.com/news/article/2318/vastness-of-muslim-mindanao-wealth-inspires-major-donor
BANGSAMORO FRAMEFORK
http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/787-gph-to-grant-amnesty-to-milf-rebels
http://www.opapp.gov.ph/sites/default/files/House%20Bill%20No.%204994.pdf
http://www.opapp.gov.ph/resources/house-bill-no-4994
OTHER HUMAN RIGHTS PROMOTIONS WEBSITES
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