KuMuNet hosts Radio Forum on BBL

COTABATO CITY (Sept. 19) --The Kutawato Multimedia Network (KuMuNet) hosted Community Radio Peace Forum held at Em Manor, Cotabato City on Wednesday, September 17 and broadcast live over DXMS Radio Station. The forum aims to discuss the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) submitted by the Office of the President to both Houses of Congress on September 10. The House of Representatives immediately filed House Bill No. 4994 and the Senate, Senate Bill No. 2408.The panel of discussants were Mr. Abdullah Cusain, Head of BTC Communication Group, BTC Commissioner Froilyn Mendoza and Lawyer Al Julkifli, member of GPH Peace Panel Legal Team. The questions now after the endorsing the BBL to Congress, what’s next?”, Atty. Al Julkifli asked the participants. On the part of the government, what’s next essentially… is a direct involvement in the deliberations,” he added. He also encouraged the public to get involved in the process as owners of peace.In her presentations, Commissioner Mendoza highlighted the provisions that has concerned on the rights of the Indigenous Peoples (IPs).The inputs on the draft BBL was delivered by Mr. Cusain. He presented the structures of the BBL, and enumerated its articles and various sections.Some participants asked the discussants about Bangsamoro policies on mining IP’s customary practices and traditions policies of the new political entity with regards to permanent employees of ARMM, and related concerns.Capt. Azahar Adam, Chief of Staff, IMT M-9 and LTC Haroun Al-Rashid, INF PA, Acting CMO Office of the 6ID, PA also delivered their respective message of support to the KuMuNet program and registered their commitments to the GPH-MILF peace process.The forum dubbed as Baliktaktakan hingil sa draft BBL or Discussions about the Draft Bangsamoro Basic Law.” It was participated in by various groups from security sector, academe, students, CSOs, local and international NGOs, CCDP-B staff, religious and women groups, and community leaders.Two Hundred (200) participants attended the program from Cotabato City and its neighbouring municipalities.Mr. Wolfgang Dörner and Ms. Karen Watermann of the ForumZFD have extended their message of thanks to the participants, members of the KuMuNet, peace partners like GIZ who had helped for the success of the program.KuMuNet is a network of CSOs in Central Mindanao composed of BCJP, CBCS, KFI, UnYPhil, UNYPAD, MAPAD, MWDECC, MPPM, RRUC, I-Watch, IP-Dev, LDCI, DXUP FM, and Forum ZFD as secretariat. KuMuNet is advocating for peace by providing updates on the progress of GPH-MILF peace process through radio program and community peace forums. (Luwaran)