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Philippines – World Bank: Signing of Bangsamoro Organic Law a ‘significant milestone’
MANILA, Philippines — The World Bank on Tuesday welcomed President Rodrigo Duterte’s approval of a much-awaited law that will grant more autonomy to the country’s predominantly Muslim region to end decades-long conflict in troubled parts of Mindanao.
Duterte last week greenlighted the Bangsamoro Organic Law, which would implement the 2014 peace agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The law will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
The BOL is the product of a rocky 20-year peace process with Muslim separatists in a bid to end rebellion in the resource-rich Mindanao that has stunted the region’s economic growth.
In a statement, the Washington-based multilateral lender said the BOL is “an important step towards peace and stability in the region,” adding that the new autonomy law would create new opportunities for sustainable peace in Mindanao.
“The World Bank has been a long-time partner in supporting peace and inclusive growth in Mindanao,” World Bank Vice President for East Asia and Pacific Victoria Kwakwa said.
“We welcome the news and look forward to continue working closely with the government of the Philippines and the MILF in support of sustainable peace and development in Bangsamoro and the entire Mindanao region,” Kwakwa added.
Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia earlier said the government will review its economic plans to adapt to the expected impact of the enactment of the BOL on the economy.
“But there will be some changes but I guess it shouldn’t be too drastic if it’s only the new Bangsamoro region,” Pernia said.
The World Bank and other development partners have been supporting the peace process between the government and the MILF especially through the ongoing Mindanao Trust Fund.
The MTF was created over 12 years ago to help increase prospects for peace and development in the Philippines’ volatile south by improving social and economic recovery in conflict-affected communities.
“The signing of the Bangsamoro Organic Law and its implementation are critical to achieve long lasting peace in the region, and we are committed to scale up our program and double our efforts in support of this promising opportunity,” said Mara Warwick, World Bank Country Director for Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand.
Source: https://www.philstar.com/business/2018/07/31/1838425/world-bank-signing-bangsamoro-organic-law-significant-milestone#bQjd0JH33q0g5u5k.99