Federalism, Bangsamoro Organic Law go hand in hand: DILG

FILE: Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Spokesperson and Assistant Secretary for Communications and Public Affairs Jonathan Malaya, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Assistant Secretary for Operations and Legislative Affairs Atty. Ana Marie Rafael-Banaag, and Atty. Randolph Parcasio of the Consultative Committee to Review the 1987 Constitution talk on empowering regions and local governance in the country through Federalism in a press briefing at the New Executive Building (NEB) in Malacañang on October 12, 2018. (Photo screengrabbed from Presidential Communications (Government of the Philippines)/Facebook)

MANILA — Shifting to a federal form of government perfectly aligns with the Bangsamoro’s hope for local autonomy, an official of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Monday.

“Federalism will cement in the Constitution the asymmetric relationship between the autonomous region of Bangsamoro and the federal government,” DILG Assistant Secretary Jonathan E. Malaya said in a news release.

He said this to assure the people of Bangsamoro that federalism will not undo the developments of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), but rather, will serve as the necessary push and support that Muslims in the region need for the autonomy they have been longing for.

The Consultative Committee’s (ConCom) proposed Bayanihan Federal Constitution recognizes the cultural framework of the Bangsamoro people brought about by their Muslim faith.

“Our Muslim brothers and sisters have a lot to look forward to when we shift to a federal system because it will only help you further the programs and projects needed to handle autonomy,” Malaya said.

In Article XI of ConCom’s proposal, the Federal Republic will have 18 regions, 16 of which will be symmetrical in natural.

Meanwhile, the Bangsamoro and the Cordilleras will have an asymmetrical setup due to provisions for their autonomy, recognizing ethnicity, culture, religion, customs, traditions, language and distinct identities of the Bangsamoro people.

ConCom’s model also gives the Bangsamoro 75 percent share of all net revenues in the exploration, development, and utilization of its own natural resources.

“This will also strengthen the region through a bigger share in the national income,” Malaya said.

This, Malaya said, will help the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) experience faster growth and development that will lift its people out of poverty and provide better opportunities for the Moros.

ARMM has vast agricultural lands endowed with rich natural resources and is home to Lake Lanao, the largest lake in Mindanao, making the region a source of hydroelectric power for Mindanao.

ARMM is also host to metallic minerals such as gold, silver, copper, manganese, nickel, zinc and iron.

“A vast array of potentials await ARMM under a federal setup. In the same vein, we are also excited to see the Bangsamoro finally attain autonomy if it wins the January 2019 plebiscite for the BOL,” Malaya said.

The DILG has been inviting the people of ARMM to attend its roadshow for federalism in Cotabato City on October 22-23, 2018 to learn more about President Rodrigo Duterte’s desire to give more power and resources to Mindanao.