Lanao solon wants Moro history in college subjects

MANILA, Oct.
11 (PNA) -- A House body has reported out for floor deliberation a bill
providing for the inclusion of Moro history, culture and identity studies as an
elective subject in the higher education curriculum.

Rep. Roman T.
Romulo (Lone District, Pasig City), chair of the House Committee on Higher and
Technical Education, said House Bill 4832 is very timely and will encourage
appreciation of the contributions of the Moro people in the country’s history.

The measure,
authored by Deputy Speaker Pangalian M. Balindong (2nd District, Lanao del
Sur), mandates all tertiary educational institutions to offer Moro history,
culture and identity studies as an elective subject, highlighting the positive
relations among the tri-peoples, especially between Muslims and Christians,
including shared origins and other points of commonality even before the
arrival of Islam and Christianity.

While
Filipino and Muslim cultures may have differences, it is a fact that they are
bound by a common heritage, the land they call Philippines, and they have a lot
in common, on top of which, is the clamor for peace,” Balindong said.

Under the
measure, agencies concerned shall consult recognized experts on Moro History,
Culture and Identity course as well as recognized resource persons on the
Mindanao peace process and Muslim-Christian dialogue in the formulation and
creation of the Moro History, Culture and Identity course, including the
writing, printing and publication of textbooks and other reading materials.

The proposed
elective course will include the understanding of the Mindanao problem” and
the Moro problem” as well as the roots of the conflict and its impact on the
rest of the country, with appropriate attention to the history of the Muslims
and the appreciation of the various cultures and ethnic identities.

Also included
are the specific character of Mindanao as an island shared by these tri-peoples
and thus the ideals of equality, co-existence and unity, including the
peculiarities of the different Moro and Lumad ethno-linguistic groups the
positive historical interactions among the tri-peoples of Mindanaoand the
Christian settlers and their descendants, the Moros or Muslims, and the Lumads
or indigenous highlander tribes.

The broader
Mindanao peace process addresses both the structural roots of the Mindanao
conflict and the deep social, cultural and religious divergences, which should
not be disregarded but respected.

The
people-to-people interactions and dialogues should help foster important basic
values – respect, honesty, sincerity, patience, generosity, trust, prudence and
love, among others, Balindong said.

Co-authors of
the measure are Reps. Romulo, Evelina G. Escudero (1st District, Sorsogon),
Mariano U. Piamonte (Party List, A TEACHER), Rufus B. Rodriguez (2nd District,
Cagayan de Oro City), Eulogio R. Magsaysay (Party List, AVE), Monique Yazmin Q.
Lagdameo (1st District, Makati City), Karlo Alexei B. Nograles (1st District,
Davao City), and Anthony G. del Rosario (1st District, Davao del Norte). (PNA)CTB/PJN