By Brent Harvey S. Jimenez
The Al Qalam Institute, in partnership with the Notre Dame of Marbel University (NDMU), continued to push for peace with the second installment of the peace forum at the NDMU auditorium in Koronodal, South Cotabato on Tuesday, February 26, 2013.
Representatives from the government, civil society and business sectors gathered at the South Cotabato forum, which followed the successful peace forum in Kidapawan City, Cotabato last Thursday.
With the theme Moving forward for peace and environmental protection in Mindanao, the forum sought to emphasize the legal and environmental issues surrounding the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB).
The forum aimed to inform and bring greater understanding and appreciation of, as well as to stimulate discussion on the FAB and the Mindanao peace process.
Forum participants were shown a video presentation which highlighted and discussed the key issues and implications of the FAB and the peace process.
Speakers of the forum included Datu Mussolini Sinsuat-Lidasan, who emphasized Islamic principles which declare the importance of protecting and conserving the environment, relating them to the legal and environmental issues of the FAB.
Prof. Abonawas Pendaliday, representative of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 12/ARMM, returned from last Thursday’s Cotabato peace forum to discuss the environmental provisions within the FAB, relating them to Islamic ethics.
Environmental advocate Gina Lopez, managing directorof the ABS-CBN Foundation, also graced the event to further discuss the importance of environmental conversation and eco-tourism in the context of province of South Cotabato. Lopez highlighted the environmental implications of mining in Tampakan and its effects on the province.
The Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro is a preliminary peace agreement between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Signed on October 15, 2012, the FAB calls for the creation of the Bangsamoro, an autonomous political entity which would replace the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
The FAB is hoped to lead to a final peace agreement between the GPH and the MILF, which will establish the necessary reforms in the political structure of the ARMM, as well as ensure a lasting culture of peace in Mindanao.
