Businessmen would like to see good governance provision become a central negotiating position once the government starts talks for a peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
This developed as the government of President Aquino and the MILF led by chairman Murad Ebrahim are set to sign the Bangsa Moro framework agreement today, Monday, where more than 100 Moro rebels are going to set foot in Malacañang for the first time.
The preliminary agreement seeks to set the tone towards the creation of an autonomous homeland for Muslims in Mindanao, a move aimed at finally achieving lasting peace and bringing economic progress in the troubled Mindanao.
Miguel Varela, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), said that the agreement to be forged following the crafting of the framework agreement should be coupled with good governance for the planned Bangsa Moro region.
''Good governance must be paramount,'' said Varela.
Good governance should be observed not only by government institutions but by everyone. Every good leader will definitely adhere to good governance and will se to it that the chain of command under him will be observed, said PCCI chairman emeritus Francis Chua.
Mindanao-based businessman Alberto P. Fenix, Jr., who is also PCCI president emeritus, cited a funding issue of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), which would be replaced once the peace agreement being hammered out by the Aquino administration and the MILF is completed and implemented.
Fenix said that while ARMM is supposed to be autonomous, all its funding come from the national government. ARMM received government funds but the autonomous region has remained impoverished with the country's poorest located in these conflict-torn areas.
''ARMM is autonomous but the national government is paying for everything. They must really be working to raise its own funds,'' Fenix said.
Fenix noted this as the region is seeking for a bigger share of their resources.
''We really have to have a better system in place rather than fully funding ARMM,'' he said noting that there are lots of resources in Mindanao that can be tapped.
Fenix said that other regions in the country, not just the ARMM, should ask for a bigger share of the national resources.
''Other regions should be entitled to bigger share of resources that come from their region but they have to think of how to generate more funds and adopt better management of the funds,'' he said.
Local government units are entitled to the Internal Revenue Allocation from the national government based on certain criteria.
Nonetheless, businessmen believe the peace initiative was a good step.
''This is very good move on the part of government towards achieving peace in Mindanao because we don't only need peace but political stability so investors will come to Mindanao,'' Varela said.
With peace and political stability, Varela said, promoting Mindanao to foreign investors would be easier.
''This is a good step forward. It is good that both sides finished the framework for an agreement. It is a good document,'' Fenix said.
Fenix further urged that government observes full transparency during the negotiations.
He said that once the security issue in Mindanao is resolved, more businesses will open in Mindanao, especially in Lanao del Norte
Fenix, who grew up in Cotabato, said that security used to be a non-issue in Mindanao but it has become a big problem for his company Newtech Pulp Inc., which is engaged in abaca business.

Source: Business Urges

- Unsaon nalang noh?kung wala'y peace and order plus bad governance.. basin mahimo na N. Korea ang Bangsamoro! hinaot ko nindot ni ilang plano kundi samot gyud ni kagubot!