The proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) – and the prospects for peace and development in Mindanao post-Aquino administration – and the upcoming 2016 national elections are sure to take center stage as Vice President Jejomar “Jojo” Binay faces Mindanao leaders attending the Kusog Mindanaw 2015 Conference in Davao City this weekend.

 

Kusog Mindanaw is a Mindanao-wide forum that brings together political, business, religious and social leaders towards a consensus in policy and action on relevant issues for Mindanao peace and development. 

 

The Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG), Kusog Mindanaw’s secretariat, has confirmed the attendance of the vice president on the second day of the summit themed “Equity and Accountability towards Inclusive Development, Security and Peace in Mindanao.”

 

A major contender in the 2016 presidential race, Vice Pres. Binay is expected to share his plans and platform for Mindanao if his bid proves successful.

 

Binay will sit down in a dialogue to be moderated by long-time peace advocate and Kusog Mindanaw Chairman Fr. Eliseo “Jun” Mercado.  At the front row of the discussions will be regional and local government officials and leaders from the civil society all over Mindanao.

 

The summit comes amid the intensifying heat of the forthcoming national elections and the uncertainty facing the BBL in Congress. With 10 days left to pass the proposed measure before lawmakers go on a Christmas break, hope is dimming fast for the approval of the BBL under the 16th Congress.  

 

President Benigno Aquino III already made an appeal to Congress not to “risk” the possibility of establishing peace in Mindanao by delaying the passage of the BBL until the next administration. 

 

Inclusive growth and peace for Mindanao

 

Kusog Mindanaw was originally conceived in the late 1990s to rally lawmakers to allocate for Mindanao at least 30 percent of the yearly national budget. This year’s conference is an attempt to carry on this agenda after the forum went on hiatus for two years.

 

READ: Peace activists seek budget increase for Mindanao

 

Kusog Mindanaw organizer and IAG Executive Director Benedicto Bacani said discussions will likely revolve around four commitments: equitable share of Mindanao in the national wealth and strong voice in policy-making especially on matters affecting Mindanao; inclusive economic growth and infrastructure development to address poverty and marginalization; accountability, transparency and good governance in public service; and sustainable peace and security in Mindanao communities.

 

Governor Daisy Avance-Fuentes of South Cotabato province and Mayor Ramon Piang Sr. of Upi municipality in Maguindanao have confirmed to share their respective good governance programs and practices. South Cotabato and Upi are both Galing Pook awardees. Two other forums on the first day of the conference are allotted for discussions on Mindanao budget and the peace process.

 

Rogier Van Den Brink, World Bank’s lead economist for the Philippines, will keynote this year’s Kusog Mindanaw conference. 

 

LISTEN: Inclusive growth: Coalitions needed