BTC commissioner says BBL good for Zamboanga region’s role as ASEAN gateway
MEMBERS OF the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) said the revised Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) proposal is seen to benefit the Zamboanga Peninsula Region by bringing peace and stability in the overall western Mindanao area. Zamboanga is contiguous with the Bangsamoro region, which will replace the existing Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao when the BBL is passed. Atty. Jose I. Lorena, one of the BTC commissioners, said with improved peace in the area, Zamboanga Peninsula would be better positioned as one of the country’s main gateway to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) market. “Under that context (BBL passage), it becomes essentially necessary that there will be an end to the narrative of conflict in this region,” Mr. Lorena said during a media forum on Understanding the Bangsamoro Peace Process over the weekend held in Zamboanga City. Among the salient features of the new BBL bill are addressing “land and historical injustices.” He said, “There should be peace in order to have that (stability), the historical injustices must be addressed, and the gaps in the implementation of programs and projects, particularly the basic necessities must be put forward by putting a resolution to the gaps.” The draft BBL is up for deliberation in the Congressional bicameral committee in early July and could be signed into law by President Rodrigo R. Duterte within that month. —