The peace process is on the home stretch. We are almost in the state where we all wish for, which will finally open avenues for peace and development in the region. And so we hope for the compliance of the few remaining terms of the peace agreement left unfulfilled by the contracting parties. Unfortunately, one party — the government — is showing a sign of remissness in its commitment. But no worry, this is easily remediable. All it takes is a reminder to the government to provide the finishing touches to the agreement. It has the capability to comply with its obligation. Doing this will make the parties sign the so-called Exit Agreement which will complete the tedious process.
Many have the mistaken notion that the grant of autonomy with the establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is the be-all and end-all aspirations of the Moros for peace and advancement. Yes, that was and still is their twin dream. But they overlook the fact that the BARMM is just a major component of the package that addresses the decades-long grievances of Moros. There are still issues that are subject to compliance which, unfortunately, are unduly delayed.
The peace pact between the government and the Moro revolutionaries includes other normalization stipulations like the integration of the mujahideens into the State security forces which has long started and has already gained momentum. The other is the package of a bonanza for the rebels and their families including converting their camps into productive communities. Compliance with the latter stipulation has hit a snag. And the reason is because of budget scarcity or lack of it.
In a recently published report, the Acting Minister of BARMM, who is likewise the head of the Moro Liberation Front and the other party in the peace pact, lamented the lack of funds needed to complete the process. It was discovered that the 2023 proposed budget of the national government which is now in its final stage of approval by Congress does not contain funds for the normalization program. Was it perhaps by design or just overlooked by the executive departments and legislators? Past budgets contained funds for the project. The Office of the Presidential Adviser for Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity being the focal office for such concern must have missed the need for such a budget.
Another explanation is that the national leadership and Congress must have thought that the BARMM, which is awash with billions of seed money and grants should now answer such need. However, as pointed out by the Interim Chief Minister, BARMM funds are already budgeted for specific programs and projects and while they want to help, it might result in committing the crime of technical malversation for spending government funds for purposes not intended by law. They are overly cautious in the management of the BARMM funds given the criticism by gadflies of profligacy.
The government should provide funds for the normalization needs in the 2023 Budget Proposal to show good faith in complying with its obligations. It is not yet too late to provide for it. While the budgetary law is about to be approved, there is still the so-called "Third House" which is the Conference Committee of both Houses of Congress that reconciles contrasting allocations in the budget by the two Houses. In fact, it is referred to as the "Super House" because more often it makes major changes in the budget different from the one approved by the two chambers. Malacañang can likewise flex its muscle by sending a message to Congress that it wants the normalization process completed. There are a hundred and one ways to solve the problem if only the government puts its heart into it.
Meantime, the Moros on the street can only wish that this hitch will be overcome before it becomes a reason for disgruntled mujahideens to go wayward.
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amb_mac_lanto@yahoo.com
