Maguindanao teachers vow support for BBL

COTABATO CITY -- The Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) continues to gain mass support with group of teachers in Maguindanao expressing all out support for the passage of the basic law.Members of the Teachers' Alliance for Change (TEACH) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) joined a forum on BBL in Parang, Maguindanao on Saturday.These teachers were from the municipalities of Matanog, Barira South, North and Central, Buldon, Parang, Datu Blah, Upi North, Pagalungan, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Kabuntalan, Datu Paglas, all belonging to Maguindanao Schools District 2.Prof. Adam Abdullah, member of Technical Staff of the Office of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Vice Chairman for political affairs, Ghadzali Jaafar, was one of the speakers.He said that it was very important for the teachers both in public and private schools to be well equipped with the necessary information about the Bangsamoro basic law so they too can educate the children with whom the draft law was designed for their future.Prof. Abraham Peno, Executive Director of Tasbikka. Inc, a Maguindanao based civil society organization, discussed important issues with regards to teacher-student relationships and child-parents relationships. Teachers must educate their own children first about the draft law, he said, telling the mentors that as educators they have major roles to play in helping massive support for the peace agreement signed by the government and the MILF.Abo Asma, information director of Iranun Areas, another civil society organization in Maguindanao, talked about the essence and significance of passing the BBL in both Houses of Congress as a solution to the decades-old Mindanao Question. Asmasaid that Muslims, Christians and Indigenous Peoples longed for peace and development. This is the right time to work hand and hand and embrace peace by pushing for the passage of the BBL, he told the teachers. While the international community and other sectors clamor for the enactment of the bill, how much more for us Moros who will gain more benefits from it?,” Asma said.After the forum, the teachers committed to work for the attainment of the long-desired peace in Mindanao.Earlier, Jaafar said officials from the World Bank has promised to support the envisioned Bangsamoro government.Jaafar said after the Philippine Development Forum in DAvao City where the Bangsamoro Development Plan was presented, World Bank officials met with MILF leaders and discussed how can WB be of help to help improve Mindanao, particularly on investments.Jaafar refused to give details of the WB meeting but he said the MILF was optimistic that the World Bank will be one of the partners of the MILF and the Bangsamoro Transition Authority in the future.