Thousands of residents of Maguindanao expressed their gratitude to the national legislators and to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (PRRD) on the passing and approval of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Extension on Saturday, September 18, 2021/11 Safar 1443 AH.
The Shukur Caravan were organized and facilitated by the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), was divided into two groups, with the north-bound from the town of Sultan Kudarat passing through North Cotabato, and the south-bound from Cotabato City crossing through Sultan Kudarat province. UBJP is the regional political party of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), formed on 2013, and has the majority numbers of the Members of the Bangsamoro Parliament of the government of the day.
The caravan converged in Buluan, Maguindanao, where the UBJP officials, provincial officials including the Representative of the 2nd District of Maguindanao Congressman Esmael “Toto” G. Mangudadatu together with thousands of supporters of the BTA Extension for a short-program where a manifesto was read.
However, organizers of the event directed participants to observe health protocols due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Simultaneous caravans were also held in Metro Manila, cities of General Santos, Davao, Zamboanga, and Marawi, Lanao Del Sur, and Lanao Del Norte.
A manifesto issued for the thanksgiving caravan to express its gratitude on the passing of Senate Bill No. 2214, and House Bill No. 10121 — Resetting the first Bangsamoro elections from 2022 to 2025, and Extend the BTA, the interim government of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) until 2025. Both the House of Representatives and the Senate have passed the measure resetting the regional parliamentary elections originally set from 2022 to 2025, thereby extending the BTA, the provisional government of the BARMM since March 2019.
The postponement of the first regional elections seeks to give the interim government of BARMM a time to strengthen the foundations for a stronger regional government and its economy. Nevertheless, the call for the extension of the Bangsamoro transition period is gaining enormous and overwhelming support from various sectors, including the Bangsamoro grassroots communities, local government units, civil society organizations, religious groups, academe, and peace-loving individuals within and outside of the BARMM.
According to the BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim, the extension of the transition period will allow the interim Bangsamoro Government to pour in all its efforts in establishing an institution that acknowledges the circumstances of the Bangsamoro, and will provide opportunities for everyone to take part in reshaping the Bangsamoro homeland.
Contributor: Hadji Harris M. Ismael
