By Abs Damahan
IRSMP-PAZ-GCCPBA/PIO
BASILAN
PEOPLE’S ASSEMBLYFOR PEACE, REFORM AND GOOD GOVERNANCE
“Kariton
ng Mamamayanan, Kapayapaan, Reporma at Maayos na Pamamahala”
Peek
“a” Byte Restaurant, Rizal Avenue, Lamitan City, Basilan on November 5-6, 2012,
the recent activities of Basilan Women Initiative Foundation, Inc. and the
facilitators’ NGos are: Community Organizer Multidiversity (COM), People’s
Coalition for ARMM Reform and Transformation, Inc. (People’s CART) and Oxfam
Mindanao Programme who spearheaded the
Basilan People’s Assembly for Peace, Reform and Good Governance participated by
a major stakeholders from the Civil Society Organization, National Line
Agencies, AFP and LGU’s.
This
People’s CART and BWIFI are recognized non-government organization by the
National Government for peace and development, electoral reform, advocacy and
good governance. Dr. Pendatun Pangadil, Chairman, People’s CART said, he is
supporting the GPH-MILF Framework Agreement as long as within the framework of
democratic processes go along with the Constitution of the Republic of the
Philippines.
In
our brief conversation with former Board Member Jubaira Said and now the
Chairwoman of BWIFI said, this BWIFI is the local counterpart non-government
organization to be one partner as the provincial convenor for a projects
implementation of People’s CART Programmes. And some other related programmes
and projects likes: Good Governance, Transition Investment Support Plans with a
hefty PHP 5.58B stimulus support funds for ARMM Government, National
Agriculturist Fisheries Council (NAFC), Electoral Reform. DSWD project 1.
Family Development Services (FDS) and, 2. Modified Condition Cash Transfer.
These
are output of the Basilan People’s Assembly:
Basilan
Network of organizations Lamitan City and People’s Agenda-Basilan Province
1.
Reviewing
and identifying laws and policies that accrued to discrimination and injustices
for the Bangsamoro people and Indigenous People in the Bangsamoro Homeland,
such as:
ü Land Tenure and Ownership;
ü Educational Tenets which includes its philosophical, cultural
foundations and others;
ü Women Inclusiveness , Exclusiveness and Participation, and raise the awareness on violence against women
including children;
ü Economic and Enterprises Ventures and Practices, including
opportunities for employment;
ü Utilization of the Bangsamoro Homeland natural resources; and
ü Human Capital Security.
2.
Enhancing,
supporting and helping the adoption of both horizontal and vertical
mechanisms of initiatives for peace and development in full emphasis of
“Participatory Approach” and democratic processes (convergence) in the
Bangsamoro homeland, the regions and the country in general;
3.
Recognizing
and strengthening the active involvement and participation of Civil Society
Organizations, Peoples Organizations and Non-Government Organizations in the
local government planning, project implementation, monitoring and evaluation
and local governance system;
4.
Institutionalizing
and structuring of the true and comprehensive “Shariah” in the Bangsamoro Homeland with its particularities on
inclusiveness and exclusiveness;
5.
Strengthening
the “Asatids” and “Ulama” (Learned Persons) for them to
help in educating the people for good governance (Principle of Islamic
Governance) and emphasis of “Rule of
Law”;
6.
Institutionalizing
the initiatives for the protection, conservation and rehabilitation of the
environment and assuring appropriate and relevant utilization of natural
resources;
7.
Working
for the establishment of an educational mechanism/system that would relevantly
address the needs of constituents as cases of the Bangsamoro and indigenous
people in the localities, which means it would address the emphasis of this
maxim: “Educate the learners within their own world”;
8.
Empowering
if possible all sectors (Fisherfolks, Farmers, Youths, Women and Entrepreneurs)
for productive endeavors with technical and material (Capital) support from the
government and other concern agencies;
9.
Adopting
a mechanism for the implementation of programs on basic social services (Water,
Health and Education) that it could reach even as far as far-flung communities
including underserved one;
10.
Establishing
a mechanism for the convergence, unification and reconciliation of sectors for
peace and development, especially those in conflict situations, if possible in
all levels;
11.
Institutionalizing
and strengthening humanitarian protection initiatives and minimize, if not
eradicate, the LGU’s negative
intervention in humanitarian services;
12.
Advocating
for comprehensive unity and unity in diversity for the attainment of lasting
peace in Mindanao;
13.
Policy
advocacy and massive campaign on regulating political dynasty and control of
elite families in governance leadership;
14.
Advocating
for the eradication of misconceptions on religious differences and other
affiliations;
15.
Policy
advocacy on the full implementation of the measures against the following : (a)
proliferation of loose firearms, (b) illegal logging, (c) graft and corruption,
(d) human trafficking e) sale and use of illegal drugs, f) illegal fishing and
all other illegal activities;
16.
Ensuring
the protection of women, children and elderly in any form of violence eg. pagbanta or family feud, armed conflict,
child abuses, and human trafficking;
17.
Significant
information drive and strengthening the implementation mechanism of the
following : (a) Bangsamoro Framework Agreement; (b) Full Disclosure Policy; (c)
Bottoms-up Budgeting Process; (d) Public and Private Partnership; and (e)
Livelihood programs (agriculture, fisheries, and community enterprises)
18.
Massive
conduct of values transformation and “Da’wah”
for the promotion of and sustainability on the culture of peace, sustainable
livelihood, disaster preparedness and good governance;
19.
Providing
emphasis of lslamic awareness and intra and interfaith dialogue.
20.
Strong
advocacy of CSOs to both GPH and MILF panel for equal distribution and
representation from five (5) provinces of ARMM of 15 members for Transition
Commission;
21.
Building
and establishing a mechanism in unifying the impoverished and downtrodden
stakeholders (Muslim, Christian, and Lumad) in any ways for moral order, social
ascendancy, peace, equality and justice regardless of religious belief, creed
and diversified cultural heritage;
22.
Strengthening
electoral reform initiatives in the localities in preparation and response for
any political development changes.
Hon.
Tahira Ismael-Sansawi former Mayor of Lantawan and provincial administrator in
her opening message said, Machismo domination of men to women should not be the
way to threat gender equality. She has come from CSO and her most training is
supported by the civic organization. During her termed as Mayor of Lantawan
Municipality she looks like a brave leader during her administration, but, in
fact, not in her character and traits, she has just wanted her municipality to
be one peaceful Local Government Unit.
She
was once human rights advocate in her long engagements with the CSO before
joining politics. She also emphasizes the role of women to peace works it’s so
importance for the CSO initiative collaboration.
In
her message in behalf of the governor, she well define Kariton she said, while
this push cart is mechanize is a kind low form of local hand-made
transportation, if all of us helping one another to push forward this Kariton
will probably, we can reach the goal as we want to achieve for Basilan.
Basilan
as you will very well know she said, on trademark a violence province a lair of
the element of lawlessness, home capital for a kidnap for ransom province.
In
the closing of her message, she reminds the participant “a woman has always
part of peaceful process and a mother to everyone of us in this world”.
DILG
Madam Annie Juaini- Provincial Assistant Director her lecture more on
solidarity and action and she said, government role reaching out the CSOs and
NGOs partners in many aspects of development and public service to the constituent
for more collaborative engagement works.
CSOs must come together helping one another
and working together assisting the National and local Government Units. The
LGUs must know activities within their constituent identifying priority
programmes and projects would benefit their people within the limit of their
resources. But, in somehow, LGUs must also sourcing public funds from the
national line agencies and donor funded organization agencies.
Mr.
Nathan Insung a long time and a veteran NGO base in Basilan who representing
MILF discussed on Bangsamoro Framework Agreement. He encourages the participants
to remain watchers and observed the conduct of the Framework which is in par
excellence documents produced in the peace deal made by the both sides of
GPH-MILF.
He
also encourages the CSO and people of Basilan to have a representative in the
Transition Commissions appointed by the President by the power of Executive
Order, who drafted the Basis Law of the Bangsamoro. Mr, Insung lamented when he
happens to travel around the province, he observed of lack information drive
conducted by the MILF organization to reach ground for their followers to be
properly informed “some banners displayed along the designated area under their
controlled camps with noted words “MABUHAY MILF” which is not to be displayed
Insung complaint.
Many
observers murmured this peace deal is long processes will cause a humpy dumpy
road ahead it need Congress to pass Resolution to support Executive Order to be
signed by the President, so that the President can appoints the 15 men
Transition Commission in order this Commission become have the legal basis
under our Constitution to draft the basic Law of proposed Bangsamoro New
Political Entity or whatever name can be called for by the appointed TC.
So,
after the drafting of the basic Law, then submitted again to Congress for
review and revision and then submitted for ratification to covers the proposed
Bangsamoro Ministerial form of government. Then, this is followed to call for
the plebiscite or referendum will be conducted therefore will be voted by the
Bangsamoro. Then, after the plebiscite Congress again passes Resolution
confirming all areas that favoured and voted aye on plebiscite and submitted to
the Office of the President for final signing of the basic Law for the
Bangsamoro New Political Entity. The transition period until 2016 and
Transition Commission will also expire after the regular election conducted in
the Bangsamoro homeland.
Normalization
will follow then, MNLL MILF and ASG it will become a legitimate political party
under this democratic process if they voted for the referendum and honor the
basic Law of the Bangsamoro New Political Entity.
The
International Monitoring Team (IMT) will stay until 2016 or it depend what they
agreed upon by two sides of both GPH-MILF.
The
reparation of the victims of war it should be compensated, the healing process
must be considered, the Integration of the BIAF must be reconsidered and Unity
process it need to comply in an urgent manner in order this peace process be
completed and so that all Filipinos enjoyed and benefited the fruits of genuine
peace in our homeland and the entire nation.
Settlers
of where the origin must not so much worried in the framework agreement who
want knows they are the first who enjoyed the benefits of the peace deal
because of advancement connection to the Bangsamoro and for their long stays in
Mindanao. The power of majority is remain solid to control the minority and
minority as it is subservient from their masters in our democratic institution
and processes.
LCol.
Jema C. Aseron, BatCom base in Kampo Uno Lamitan said, the Secession of
hostility is big help and moral busting from the AFP side could help a lot in
reducing casualties from military side. Col. Aseron said, Basilenos are diverse
cultures can translate for more doable positive steps that promote and led to
the level of peaceful Basilan.
In
the military organization we have a Civil Military Operation (CMO) this is a
counterpart of the CSO for the civilian concerned group organization would
tackle national and local issues for peace, development and security.
The
latest programs of the AFP Internal Peace Security Plan (IPSP) would perhaps in
way or the other by our close coordination and cooperation it would improve
security measures and protection for our civilians’ populace particularly
Basilan Col. Aseron disclosed. He even suggested instead our national budget
allotted much for security, why not diverted or realigned for peace and
development projects.
Short
reaction from the veteran politician of former Board Member Mario Mamang said,
“The real problem of our political leaderships in the province because of wrong
political rivalry in our midst”.
Focal
persons in these activities are: Ms. Nulkaisa Alidain, Ms. Emely Trumata and
Ms. Taiba Anwar-Ibama.
Yours
truly AbsDamahan’sLive was one invited speaker as media practitioner…
