BOL@7: Building on the gains of peace

**media[28070]**PEACE BY PEACESix years ago, my team and I were on our way to attend a townhall meeting in a municipality in Maguindanao. It was perhaps the third area we had visited that day to rally the public’s support for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).Our energies were ebbing, as we had been on the road for more than a month. Starting in December of 2018 when I was appointed as Presidential Peace Adviser, we had flown to the southernmost provinces of Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, Basilan, and then to the heartland of Central Mindanao.But what sustained us during that challenging period was the thought that the success of our mission would not only sustain the gains of peace, but more importantly, shape the future of the Bangsamoro people.Passed by Congress on July 26, 2018, the BOL is the landmark law that operationalized the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), the historic peace deal that put an end to the decades-long armed conflict in the region.Signed by the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the CAB is a result of both parties’ commitment and determination to bring long-lasting peace and sustainable development to the region.The ratification of the BOL and the passage of the CAB were major turning points for the people of the Bangsamoro, as these laws are a realization of their long-held aspiration for self-determination and self-governance.The BOL has paved the way for the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and the establishment of its interim government, the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA).The BTA, which is being led by the MILF, has been at the forefront of the BARMM’s unprecedented march towards progress by creating an environment that is conducive to trade, tourism and investment.As a result, the Bangsamoro has experienced remarkable growth and progress over the years, becoming one of the fastest expanding economies in the country and attracting the interest of local and foreign business people.Former MILF combatants, who once fought government forces in the mountains and trenches, have undergone the decommissioning process and are now living as peaceful and productive members of their communities.Through the Normalization Program under the CAB, these ex-fighters are writing a new chapter in their lives, as they are now using ploughshares, fishnets and calculators to earn sustainable incomes for themselves and their families.And as members of the Joint Peace and Security Teams (JPST), which is composed of representatives from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police and MILF, these former combatants are helping to ensure peace and security in their areas.Through the Joint Task Force on Camps Transformation and the Task Force for Decommissioned Combatants and their Communities, MILF communities are being transformed into show windows of peace and development.It is also amazing to see how former MILF leaders, who once led their comrades in battles, have made the successful transition as civil servants who are at the forefront of the BARMM government’s efforts to boost the socioeconomic growth of the region and its people.As a former military officer, I had met with these same MILF officials, spoke with them, and witnessed how they have evolved from once grizzled warriors into servant-leaders whose main goal is to uplift the lives of their people.To cite a few, we have BARMM Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua and Member of Parliament Abdullah Macapaar who are now among the Bangsamoro government’s highly-respected officials who practice moral governance.Also instrumental in the Bangsamoro’s transformation are peace mechanisms such as the Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB) and the Inter-Cabinet Cluster Mechanism on Normalization.Through the IGRB and ICCMN, the national and BARMM governments are able to resolve key issues through the conduct of regular consultations and enhance the delivery of essential services, programs and projects in the Bangsamoro.But I believe that the best gauge of the BARMM’s transformation is the significant improvement in the socioeconomic well-being of the people, who for decades, were living in fear, uncertainty and insecurity.During my recent visit to Camp Bilal in Lanao del Norte, MP Macapaar gave me a tour of his community which is now a far cry from the once conflict-ridden, underdeveloped area it was once known for.There is now a concrete road that connects the camp to the national highway. Upon entering the camp, stores and other business establishments line the streets. The community now has a reliable water and electric supply. And the people greet you with wide, beautiful smiles.The story that is unfolding in Camp Bilal is the same story that is unfolding in numerous communities in the Bangsamoro. And this is because the people chose to turn away from armed struggle, lay down their arms, and walk the path of peace.As we commemorate the 7th anniversary of the passage of the BOL, it is crucial to remain committed to all its provisions, especially as the BARMM will have its first parliamentary elections in October this year.As the transition period enters its final phase, the call to action is clear: to build upon the lessons learned during the initial years of implementation. This is a crucial time to solidify the gains in moral governance, champion greater inclusivity for all communities within the Bangsamoro, and fully empower the Bangsamoro people to chart their future.(Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., is the presidential adviser on peace, reconciliation and unity.)