MANILA – Moro people were urged not to waste an opportunity to participate in the plebiscite for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law slated today and on Feb. 6.
Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez said on Sunday that participating in the plebiscite is chance for the Moro people to assert their identity.
“The plebiscite for the ratification of the BOL is a momentous event for the Moro as well as non-Moro people residing in the proposed territory,” Galvez said. “By casting their vote, they are redefining the Moro narrative as well as charting the future of Mindanao.”
He added: “The government is pleased that policy and economic experts believe the law will help unleash the full economic potential of the region and bring sustainable peace and development to the area.”
Galvez also said the law builds on the gains of the Bangsamoro peace process and is a realization of the national government’s firm commitment to honor all signed agreements with the various Moro fronts.
“The BOL will ensure that those who use armed violence will become irrelevant because the law will provide people with greater incentive to choose the path of peace and development,” he said.
The plebiscite is slated today in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) areas, Isabela City in Basilan, and Cotabato City. Residents of Lanao del Norte except Iligan City, and six towns in North Cotabato, will be on Feb. 6.
The BOL aims to establish a Bangsamoro Autonomous Region which will replace the ARMM. Once passed into law, a Bangsamoro Parliament, to be voted for by the residents, will govern the region.
The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region will be entitled to 5 percent of the net national internal revenue collection of the Bureau of Internal Revenue and Bureau of Customs, and P5 billion worth of Special Development Fund every year for the next 10 years starting 2019./PN
