In celebration of the Mindanao Solidarity Week (MSW), the Center for Peace Education (CPE) in partnership with Pax Christi Pilipinas and Pax Christi Miriam College organized the forum “Bangsamoro Transition and Marawi Rehab: Where Are We Now?” on November 10, 2020. Featuring our guest speaker Atty. Maisara Damdamun-Latiph, member of the Bangsamoro Parliament, the event was attended by over 60 members of the Miriam College community and guests.

MP Latiph began her talk through sharing a brief context of the Mindanao peace process that led to the creation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, which established the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and abolished the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). She highlighted how the policy environment in the BARMM is more democratic compared to ARMM which allows a more participatory and inclusive form of governance.

On the Marawi Rehabilitation, MP Latiph shared that the Task Force Bangon Marawi reported in October that the rebuilding timeline is on track; however, she underscored that it is important for the BTA to supervise and work closely with concerned agencies for the completion of this objective. She talked about various concerns in the rebuilding of the area including land disputes, lack of water, electricity and solid waste management, and the growing mental health concerns in the past 3 years since the Marawi siege. She noted the need to address data gaps, ensure food security and improve assistance to internally displaced persons, among others, and ended her talk underscoring the various efforts of the Bangsamoro Government to assist in Marawi’s rehabilitation.

To know more, check out below the recording of the forum: