MANILA, May 20 — Given an overview of the Bangsamoro Development Plan, business leaders on Monday agreed that now, more than ever, is the time for the private sector to create a stronger presence in the region.
Businessman Manny V. Pangilinan, chairman of the Philippines Business for Social Progress (PBSP) called it an investment for peace. Jaime Zobel de Ayala II, head of the economic cluster of the National Peace Summit, described it as an important step, while National Treasurer Roberto Tan, representing Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, said” it could be our last opportunity to push for the peace process.
On a day government leaders, chief executive officers from the country’s top corporations, representatives from development agencies and foreign dignitaries from the international community gathered at the Dusit Thani hotel in Makati for a roundtable discussion on investment opportunities for peace and inclusive development in Mindanao, everyone seemed to be on the same page that peace in Mindanao means prosperity for the entire Philippines.
Rafael Lopa, executive director of the organizing PBSP, summed it best when he said: “Through this forum, we hope to come up with concrete steps for greater business sector participation in the development of the Bangsamoro region and in the process, help shape an enabling environment that will lead to long term investments with economic and social returns.”
“By bringing in business and development that leads to inclusive growth, we hope to further promote peace and initiate long-lasting solutions to the challenges facing the region, he added.
John Perrine, chairman of the Unifrutti Group of Companies that has been doing business in Mindanao for 19 years, said in a press conference that followed the roundtable discussion that around US $340 million in initial investments in bananas, pineapple, coffee and cacao have been committed by different companies that would generate around 23,000 jobs in direct employment in the Bangsamoro region.
“Amid some fears that no one will go, no one will invest, these are the people that are ready to invest in the region today, now. They say the problem is lack of jobs, but this is something that would provide livelihood to the people in Bangsamoro,” he said.
Ayala, meanwhile said, conveners in the economic cluster will continue to focus on the Bangsamoro area.
“There has been a tremendous amount of work that has already been done by the Bangsamoro Development Agency on the development plan. I think it’s time for us to recognize their efforts for the development of the Bangsamoro area. That recognition alone should give us the framework that the BBL is important to us all as an institution. It’s something very positive and I hope it’s the start,” he said.
Mohagher Iqbal, chairman of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission welcomed the desire of the business leaders to help in the development of the Bangsamoro.
“For us, however, development of the Bangsamoro should go hand in hand with political autonomy and social protection. We are a self-reliant, proud people that’s why we seek support for the passage of the BBL,” he said.
Saffrulah M. Dipatuan, chairman of the Bangsamoro Development Agency, gave an overview of the BDP which he said aims to promote just, honorable and lasting peace and sustainable development in the region.
Unlike conventional development plans, Dipatuan said the BDP was written to address the causes of conflict and justice to ensure that stability — a requirement for growth and development — takes place.
“The BDP is a comprehensive roadmap that articulates the needs and aspirations of people in the Bangsamoro towards a better quality of life,” he said.
It is also the first development plan written by a revolutionary group, which Dipatuan pointed out is a testament to the MILF’s commitment towards peace and progress in the Bangsamoro.
Also sharing their current initiatives in Mindanao were development partners and multilateral agencies led by Motoo Konishi, country director of the World Bank; Richard Bolt, country director of the Asian Development Bank; and Noriaki Niwa, chief representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). (PPMB)
