COTABATO CITY, Dec. 5 — The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Mujiv S. Hataman recognized that the success of the peace negotiations between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is one of the important contributing factors to the achievement of socioeconomic reforms in ARMM under his stewardship.
“Ito po ay bunga ng matagumpay na usapang pangkapayapaan sa pagitan ng GPH at MILF. (This is the fruit of the successful peace negotiations between the GPH and the MILF),” said Hataman during his second State of the Region Address (SORA) held at the Shariff Kabunsuan Complex in Cotabato City on December 1.
Hataman related that the dreadful peace and order situation in the region before the success of the peace negotiations prevented economic investments from coming in.
“Ngayon, dahil sa ating inayos na burukrasya at pamamalakad sa ARMM, kasabay ang matagumpay na usapang pangkapayapaan, tumaas ang kumpyansa ng mga negosyante (Now, because of the reforms in the bureaucracy and governance of ARMM, together with the success of the peace negotiations, investor confidence has improved),” he said.
“Sa third quarter pa lang ngayong taon, pumalo sa mataas na record na PHP 3.372 billion halaga ng investments, higit doble pa ito sa naitala nating investments sa nakaraang taon. (As of the third quarter of this year, investments in the region has reached a significantly high record of 3.372 billion pesos, which is more than double compared to investments in the previous year),” Hataman said.
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles affirmed that Hataman was indeed able to deliver the reforms needed in ARMM, saying that he’s proven that he’s worthy of the trust and confidence of President Benigno Aquino III who appointed him to serve as officer-in-charge of the ARMM in 2011 prior to being elected to the post in 2013. “Masaya talaga tayo na itong term ni Regional Governor Hataman… naitawid niya ng husto ang ARMM doon sa inaasam-asam na Bangsamoro (We are very happy that during Regional Governor Hataman’s term… he was able to steer the region towards the right direction in preparation for the envisioned Bangsamoro),” Deles said.
