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- EDD K. USMAN | Twitter: @edd1819 | Instagram: @bluestar0910 | Facebook: SDN — SciTech and Digital News
PARK INN BY RADISSON HOTEL, Davao City (SDN) October 18, 2023 — Conveying the fruits of the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) to the people is an important facet.
If the population of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) are not apprised in a timely and effective manner of the CAB’s positive effect on their lives, it could spell disenchantment and disillusionment.
Disenchantment and disillusionment might lead to frustrations, which pave the path to desperation towards a belief that they are not part of the landmark peace accord.
In which case, they might think the 17 years Bangsamoro peace process between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) does not contribute to the uplift of their lives and well-being.
Communicating the CAB’s role and impact in the people’s lives is especially true and vital because the spoilers of peace are not about to stop soon!
In this vein, this dark possibility was not lost on MILF Chair and Chief Minister Ahod Balawag “Al-Hajj Murad” Ebrahim, head of the MILF-led Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) running the Bangsamoro government.
“The signing of the peace accord has been a witness to the power of dialogue, diplomacy, and cooperation. It has brought as closer to the dream of a just and peace homeland, where are all the Bangsamoro can live in harmony and prosperity. However, as we all know, the road to lasting peace is not without obstacles,” says the Chief Minister.
He delivered the Keynote Address at the 1st BARMM Information and Media Summit in this hotel, which kicked off this morning and concludes on October 20.
The Bangsamoro Information Office (BIO) under the Office of the Chief Minister (OCM) and headed by Executive Director Ameen Andrew Alonto organized the three-day event aimed at, among others, strengthening alliances with the region’s media stakeholders, both public and private practitioners.
The BARMM-BIO is expected to reinforce collaboration between the Bangsamoro Government, and everyone involved in the information and media, as well as serve as a platform for discussing pressing issues and topics, thereby raising communicators’ involvement in BARMM transition period.
Recall that the BTA’s life was to conclude in 2022, but it was extended to another three years until 2025 through a law signed by the then President Rodrigo R. Duterte.
Ebrahim who delivered his speech through a video clip described this period of the transition as “a critical juncture in our history”.
He adds: “While we celebrate the gains of the peace process, we must acknowledge the challenges that persist. In this ever-changing socio-political landscape, the role of the communicators is pivotal. We are tasked with conveying the stories of resilience, hope, and determination that define our region. We are storytellers of progress, and social change.”
“A little story that uplifts our spirits can go a long way”
Alonto was hopeful the summit would be “a start to something beautiful”. He emphasized the Bangsamoro summit is not only a conference but “symbol of our collective aspiration for a brighter and more peaceful future”.
“The path of peace is long, and its journey requires tons of patience and hard work. But let us be reminded of what Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim said when we celebrated our 4th Bangsamoro Foundation Anniversary, ‘malayo pa, pero malayo na’,” (still far but has gone a long way). Indeed, we still have a lot of work to do, but let us recognize that we have already come a long way.
“In a world that is dominated by mostly tragic and painful news, a little story that uplifts our spirits can go a long way. Let us inspire a generation. For as long as there are those who continue to oppress the weak and the marginalized, it is our role to amplify the voice of peace and solidarity.”
Alonto noted that the summit is being held in October as a nod to the declaration of Communications Month by Proclamation No. 308 that President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. signed.
In this connection, the BARMM-BIO head expressed oneness with the National Government in the promotion of press freedom, empowerment of media practitioners, and fostering collaboration to improve access to information.
Other dignitaries and speakers, among others, at the Bangsamoro Information and Media Summit included Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Michel Andre P. Del Rosario, Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Z. Duterte (via a representative), BARMM Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Asnin K. Pendatun, Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) Undersecretary Paulino M. Gutierrez, SUBATRA Public Administration Reform Expert Keith Morgan, The Asia Foundation (TAF) Philippines Country Representative Sam Chittick, Strategic Communication and Capacity Building (SCCB) Project Philippine Coordinator Ms. Aliah B. Adam, etc.
More speakers are scheduled on the second and third day of the summit.
The Bangsamoro region, established in 2018 by the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) to implement the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), is made up of the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, the cities of Cotabato, Lamitan, and Marawi, as well as the 63 barangays or villages dubbed Special Geographic Area (SGA) that voted “yes” in a plebiscite in February 2019 to be under the BARMM jurisdiction.
According to the Philippine Atlas, BARMM has 4,404,288 people. It has 116 municipalities: Basilan, 11 municipalities; Lanao del Sur, 39; Maguindanao, 36; Sulu, 19; and Tawi-Tawi, 11. Its component cities are Cotabato (the regional center and capital) in Maguindanao; Lamitan in Basilan; and Marawi in Lanao del Sur. (✓)