Papers, Newsletters, Reports & StatementsThink Tank Urges Duterte to Sign Organic Law to Speed up Development in Muslim Mindanao

July 25, 2018

OFFICIAL PRESS STATEMENT

THINK TANK URGES DUTERTE TO SIGN ORGANIC LAW TO SPEED UP DEVELOPMENT IN MUSLIM MINDANAO

The Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy (PCID) expresses its appreciation to the members of the 17th Congress for the passage of the Bicameral conference committee report and version for the Bangsamoro Organic Law.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) promises to sign the BOL into law by today. Once signed, the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) will abolish the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), replacing it with a stronger Organic Act that will grant genuine autonomy and self-government to the Bangsamoro people.

The passing of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) will serve as the fruition of the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro in 2014. The BOL, originally named Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) was filed during President Aquino’s term yet Congress failed to pass the proposed bill.

The law provides fiscal autonomy, automatic appropriation of the block grant, funds for the rehabilitation and development of conflict-ridden areas, a judiciary based on Shari-ah laws, and a new form of government.

Once implemented, we expect all sectors of the Bangsamoro civil society to support this Law to enable our communities to live in peace and end the civil strife which had plagued the island of Mindanao for more than forty decades.
With peace, the PCID expects both foreign and local investors to flock to Mindanao, a land of promise, and assist the Bangsamoro people in growing its economy.

In this light, we hope that the Bangsamoro Organic Law will pave the way for genuine autonomy and self-rule for the Bangsamoro. Furthermore, we urge everyone, especially the National Government, to continue to support the Bangsamoro community as they embark on their journey towards achieving peace, social justice, good governance, and inclusive growth and development.

For inquiries:
Amina Rasul
President, PCID

Hannah Manaligod
Research Officer
Tel no: 426-5866
Tel/Fax: 426-9972