Dureza assures IP representation in expanded BTC

Presidential peace adviser Jesus G. Dureza assured the indigenous groups of their representative in the new and expanded Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), which will draft the enabling law for the implementation of all Bangsamoro peace deals and other pertinent measures including the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997, during an IP peace table conversation on January 3, in Midsayap, North Cotabato.

This meeting with the IP leaders is part of the continuing consultation process for the “bigger peace tables” to discuss their concerns and participation in the peace process.

“The negotiating table is a smaller table and only involves the government and the rebel groups. The ‘bigger peace table’ is the general public, which will be affected by the issues tackled in the smaller table. It is, therefore, important to listen to the bigger table,” Dureza stressed during the meeting.

As a continuing engagement, there are upcoming peace building conversations with different stakeholders in Surigao del Norte and Compostela Valley last January 12.

Government Implementing Panel Chair for the Bangsamoro Peace Accords Irene Santiago was also present in the said peace building conversation with IP groups.

Dureza also visited the municipalities of Alamada, Midsayap, and Carmen, where he led the inauguration of a 42-kilometer road project under the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) program, the government’s peace and development program. (Candido Aparece, Jr.)