ISABELA CITY – More
than a hundred concerned individuals representing various sectors of Basilan
gathered at the Datu Dizal Center in Lamitan City last September 13 for the
public consultation on the amendments of Republic Act 9054, the organic law
that created the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
Five mayors led by Lamitan City Mayor
Roderick Furigay and Tipo-Tipo town mayor Ingatun Istarul attended the Lamitan consultation
which was graced by the eleven assemblymen and women from Lanao del Sur, Sulu,
Maguindanao and Basilan. MNLF's Hatimil Hassan also spoke in the activity.
During the consultation RLA members emphasized
that this process is not in conflict with the GPH-MILF peace talks or the
Tripartite review of the GRP-MNLF Peace Agreement by Government, MNLF and the
Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC). "This third track is a
complementary process," said Chairperson of the RLA Committee on Rules and
Amendment Romeo Sema.
Speaker Rasul Mitmug Jr and Chairman on Rules
Romeo Sema has urged local media to assist in popularizing discussions on the
Organic Act.
"There is strong ground push for making
the ARMM benefit more in its natural resources and not settle for less than 50
percent sharing with national government," said Mitmug Jr. ARMM is abound
with natural resources in its maritime wealth but strategic minerals is still
being deliberated in the GPH-MILF talks.
Basilan Assemblyman Juni Ilimin also pushed
for a more defined and stronger relationship between the ARMM and local
government units, which enjoy automatic appropriation of their budget from
national government.
The members of the RLA and its 16-member
Technical Working Group have been conducting public consultations in
Danmar Resort, Tawi Tawi (Sept 15), Lanao
del Sur at the Capitol, Marawi City (Sept 11) and Cotabato City for Maguindanao last August 28.
Consultations will also be conducted at the Smith Hall, NDU in Jolo, Sulu on
Sept 18.
Consultations have convened local government
units, Ulama, Sultans or datus, academe, lawyers and civil society.
This series of public consultations is part
of the huge mandate of the ARMM legislative assembly to recommend amendments to
RA 9054 for submission to Congress by October 2012. RLA will also consolidate
and review outcomes of public consultations along with the other inputs from
different sectors including civil society before final deliberation and
adoption by the August body before the October deadline.
It can be recalled that RA 10153, an Act
Synchronizing the ARMM Elections with the national and local elections has paved
the way for the appointment of caretaker officials in the regional autonomous
government mandating the members of the RLA to study and review RA 9054 and
recommend amendments to the Philippine Congress within six (6) months from
their appointment.
The 27 assemblypersons are also conducting
their own consultation efforts as each chairs a Committee of special interest
in the Assembly.
