Business community signifies interest in Bangsamoro Region

The business community, together with development agencies, met with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Chairman Al-Hajj Murad Ebrahim at Camp Darapanan September 14, to signify their commitment to help realize the hopes of the Bangsamoro people for a better life and end the four decades of conflicts in the area.

Present during the private meeting with MILF Chairman Murad were representatives from First Agri Holdings Corporation (an affiliate of First Pacific Company Limited), Ayala Group of Companies (Ayala Corporation and Globe Telecom), Unifrutti Group of Companies, Meralco, PLDT, and Agusan Plantations, Inc.  

Also present to signify their support were senior officers from World Bank headed by its East Asia and Pacific Vice President Axel van Trotsenburg, Japan International Cooperation Agency in the Philippines’ Chief Representative, Noriaki Niwa, International Finance Corporation, and Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP).

The visit to the camp sends a strong message of willingness to bring investments into the Bangsamoro Region and provide employment and income opportunities. “We are happy that you (private sector) are manifesting a strong message that there is hope,” MILF Chairman Murad said. “Your coming is a very strong manifestation of your keen interest in helping us achieve our aspirations. We will not bear fruit unless everybody will be on board, especially you, the private sector,” he added.

Furthermore, as he expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the private sector for the gesture, he guaranteed support to their business endeavors in Mindanao. “We cannot say other words but to assure you that the MILF is willing to be your partner in achieving prosperity,” MILF Chairman Murad said. He also assured the private sector that alongside the negotiations for the Bangsamoro Basic Law, they are working on normalizations on the ground to ensure that changes will be sustained.

As proof of success, John Perrine, the Chairman of Unifrutti Group, claimed of the company’s more than nineteen years of uninterrupted operations in Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur despite the conflicts. He also provided evidence of the flourishing investment in the area, potential for expansion, and the increasing interest of investors.

This activity is organized by World Bank and PBSP as a strategy to encourage investments and help shape an enabling investment environment not only for the Bangsamoro, but for all the Filipinos. Concrete next steps will be formulated to continue the discussions, including the establishment of a coordinating mechanism between the MILF and the private sector. This activity is also conducted in coordination with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, through its Coordinating Committee on Cessation of Hostilities. (pr)