Stakeholders begin drafting Bangsamoro normalization program guidelines
FORTY MULTI-sector representatives gathered last week for the “writeshop aimed at producing the program document for the Normalization Program in the Bangsamoro,” the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) announced. “Crafting this program document will hopefully set the modalities and parameters in executing the programs, thus providing us with uniformity, consistency, and timeliness in our actions,” Nabil A. Tan, head of the government implementing panel, said in a statement. The event was attended by both government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) representatives to the peace talks, government functionaries, donor agencies and Bangsamoro non-government organizations. “We appreciate the enthusiasm and the assistance of the Office of the Cabinet Secretary, Development Academy of the Philippines, World Bank, and the United Nations Development Programme for their assistance,” Mr. Tan said. Also last week, Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus G. Dureza joined the President in various meetings to muster stronger support for the Bangsamoro Organic Law. Among these meetings were with Indonesian Ambassador Sinyo Harry Sarundajang. “The ambassador also expressed support to the new Bangsamoro government that will be formed and the work being done by Task Force Bangon Marawi,” said Mr. Dureza. Other issues that were discussed included “joint cooperation in the areas of border security, maritime, trade, and development.” —