All set for last SORA of now outgoing ARMM chief executive

COTABATO CITY - All is set for what could be the last state of the region address on Wednesday of the now outgoing governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.The now 29-year ARMM, which has a regional charter, the Republic 9054, could be replaced with a Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, or BARMM, if the enabling measure for such transition, the Bangsamoro Organic Law, is ratified via a plebiscite on January 21.The SORA, also known as ulat sa bayan, of ARMM Gov. Mujiv is a yearly activity of the 24-seat Regional Assembly, touted as the Little Congress of the autonomous region.The term of Hataman as regional governor of ARMM will end on June 30, 2019 but may possibly be shortened if the BARMM gets activated following next month's plebiscite.Peace advocates and local executives from across the autonomous region, which covers the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, are expected to grace the event, to be held inside the 32-hectare ARMM compound in Cotabato City.Chief Superintendent Graciano Mijares of the Police Regional Office-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao said Tuesday a security contingent is now guarding the surroundings of the ARMM capitol to ensure the safety of SORA event guests.Lamitan City Vice Mayor Roderick Furigay on Tuesday told reporters here via text message that he and other local officials will witness the event to manifest gratitude to the Hataman administration for having implemented more than P1 billion worth of infrastructure projects now benefitting residents in their 45 barangays. Peace and order in Basilan have improved in the past six years as a consequence of ARMM’s socio-economic and pro-poor interventions for its residents, said Furigay, now in his second term as vice mayor of Lamitan City, the capital of Basilan.Hataman is expected to again urge his constituents to vote in favor of the BOL during the January 21 plebiscite in his last SORA on Wednesday.The Commission on Elections shall administer the exercise in all of ARMM five provinces, in Isabela City which is the former capital of Basilan, and in several barangays in North Cotabato and in Lanao del Sur.Hataman has persistently been asserting that the BOL, a product of 20 years of peace talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, will put an end to the secessionist problem hounding the country for five decades now.Von Al-Haq, spokesperson of the MILF’s military wing, the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, said Tuesday they are grateful to Hataman for supporting the Mindanao peace process extensively.Al-Haq said they also appreciate the commitment of Hataman to facilitate a smooth transition from ARMM to BARMM once the BOL is ratified via a referendum next month.It is known in the autonomous region that past ARMM regional governors opposed the peace efforts of the government and the MILF fearing it could boot them out of power.