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MILF: BLMI engages in consultation sorties in Moro Island Provinces

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From the MILF Website (Mar 3): BLMI engages in consultation sorties in Moro Island Provinces



The Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute (BLMI) based at Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, is currently engaged in series of advocacies and consultation sorties in Moro Island Provinces that kicked-off on February 8. Tasked by the Institute were Sheik Sam Alabat, Extension Service Unit Officer and this writer who is the BLMI’s Research Unit officer.
   
The salient features of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) and its four (4) annexes; the Addendum on the Bangsamoro Waters and Zone of Joint Cooperation; updates on the GPH – MILF Peace process and the proposed Ministerial Form of Government; political party formation; and electoral system were discussed.

The tandem of Alabat and Tahir first landed at Isabela city where a consultation was made. The activity was facilitated by Yakan City Political Committee in Basilan Province on February 8, 2014 where most of the participants came from the academe, students and local government officials.

On February 9, another advocacy was conducted at the same venue and was facilitated by the Basilan Province Political Committee. The FAB, its four annexes and other related issues were also discussed. This time the participants were residents from the remote municipalities of the province.

On February 10, the BLMI team proceeded to Jolo, Sulu, and conducted similar advocacy for Central Sulu. The program was held at Sulu State College (SSC) Gym and attended by participants from various sectors who wanted updates on the current GPH – MILF Peace process.

On February 12, Southern Sulu got its turn. It was held at Sulu Notre Dame Training Center. The participants were local fisher folks and community leaders from Siasi, Pandami and Tongkil.

On February 15, another advocacy was held at the Sulu Agricultural School where a large number of residents from various sectors of society flocked to the venue.

Endowed with noble objectives and strong determination, the BLMI Team continued its journey to the farthest island of Tawi –Tawi.

 The activity was held on February 17. Sheik Alabat and this writer, a native of Tandubas, Tawi –Tawi travelled by pump- boat towards the Municipalities of Sapa- Sapa and Bannaran.  The travel took us almost four (4) hours from Bongao Municipality to Bannaran Island before reaching the venue. What was more impressing to us upon our arrival was the patience and determination of the residents who have been there for two days waiting for our arrival. At the Celebes Sea while crossing the Island, the rough sea was very evident.

The attendees were mostly fishermen and farmers from the neighboring island municipalities. One of the attendees said that, “Our fatigue and anxiety were relieved after listening to the updates on the GPH-MILF Peace Process”.
The BLMI team returned back to Bongao on February 18 where another engagement with the Tawi- Tawi members of the academe, students and LGU Officials was undertaken on February 19. It was held at Bongao Beach Side Hotel.
This writer while engaging in consultation and advocacies in Western Mindanao uses Sinama and Tausog dialects to be more effective.

The attendees expressed their profound gratitude to BLMI and its sponsors for providing valuable information and making them a part of the peace journey. On its part the BLMI expressed its heartfelt gratitude to the different political committees, CSO’s and PO’s for the warm welcome, active participation and cooperation they made during the conduct of the activities.

There is still a long way to go before the Bangsamoro people can truly achieve lasting peace and freedom but with the interest shown by beneficiaries of the advocacies made by BLMI, the realization of the aspiration of the Moro people for right to self-determination is beyond reach.

These outreach programs were realized through the unending  support of The Asia Foundation (TAF) and Aus-Aid,  two of various International Non –Government Institutions which are GPH-MILF partners in peace building endeavors in Mindanao for the past many years.

The Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute (BLMI) based at Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, is currently engaged in series of advocacies and consultation sorties in Moro Island Provinces that kicked-off on February 8. Tasked by the Institute were Sheik Sam Alabat, Extension Service Unit Officer and this writer who is the BLMI’s Research Unit officer.

The salient features of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) and its four (4) annexes; the Addendum on the Bangsamoro Waters and Zone of Joint Cooperation; updates on the GPH – MILF Peace process and the proposed Ministerial Form of Government; political party formation; and electoral system were discussed.

The tandem of Alabat and Tahir first landed at Isabela city where a consultation was made. The activity was facilitated by Yakan City Political Committee in Basilan Province on February 8, 2014 where most of the participants came from the academe, students and local government officials.

On February 9, another advocacy was conducted at the same venue and was facilitated by the Basilan Province Political Committee. The FAB, its four annexes and other related issues were also discussed. This time the participants were residents from the remote municipalities of the province.

On February 10, the BLMI team proceeded to Jolo, Sulu, and conducted similar advocacy for Central Sulu. The program was held at Sulu State College (SSC) Gym and attended by participants from various sectors who wanted updates on the current GPH – MILF Peace process.

On February 12, Southern Sulu got its turn. It was held at Sulu Notre Dame Training Center. The participants were local fisher folks and community leaders from Siasi, Pandami and Tongkil.

On February 15, another advocacy was held at the Sulu Agricultural School where a large number of residents from various sectors of society flocked to the venue.

Endowed with noble objectives and strong determination, the BLMI Team continued its journey to the farthest island of Tawi –Tawi.

The activity was held on February 17. Sheik Alabat and this writer, a native of Tandubas, Tawi –Tawi travelled by pump- boat towards the Municipalities of Sapa- Sapa and Bannaran.  The travel took us almost four (4) hours from Bongao Municipality to Bannaran Island before reaching the venue. What was more impressing to us upon our arrival was the patience and determination of the residents who have been there for two days waiting for our arrival. At the Celebes Sea while crossing the Island, the rough sea was very evident.

The attendees were mostly fishermen and farmers from the neighboring island municipalities. One of the attendees said that, “Our fatigue and anxiety were relieved after listening to the updates on the GPH-MILF Peace Process”.
The BLMI team returned back to Bongao on February 18 where another engagement with the Tawi- Tawi members of the academe, students and LGU Officials was undertaken on February 19. It was held at Bongao Beach Side Hotel.

This writer while engaging in consultation and advocacies in Western Mindanao uses Sinama and Tausog dialects to be more effective.

The attendees expressed their profound gratitude to BLMI and its sponsors for providing valuable information and making them a part of the peace journey. On its part the BLMI expressed its heartfelt gratitude to the different political committees, CSO’s and PO’s for the warm welcome, active participation and cooperation they made during the conduct of the activities.

There is still a long way to go before the Bangsamoro people can truly achieve lasting peace and freedom but with the interest shown by beneficiaries of the advocacies made by BLMI, the realization of the aspiration of the Moro people for right to self-determination is beyond reach.

These outreach programs were realized through the unending  support of The Asia Foundation (TAF) and Aus-Aid,  two of various International Non –Government Institutions which are GPH-MILF partners in peace building endeavors in Mindanao for the past many years.
http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/841-blmi-engages-in-consultation-sorties-in-moro-island-provinces

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