Religious leaders urge PNoy to stop Tampakan mining project By MART D. SAMBALUD
Catholic prelates in Mindanao have reiterated its opposition to the $5.9 billion Tampakan mining
project in South Cotabato. Marbel Bishop Dinualdo D. Gutierrez told DavaoToday that “the prelates of Mindanao are hoping that President Aquino will now
heed our calls to stop the Tampakan project, discerning on the protection and preservation of the environment and the life of the Lumad inhabitants in South
Cotabato.” “South Cotabato can survive without mining, contrary to government’s claim of economic growth. I am hoping that our letter
will get Aquino’s attention,” Gutierrez said. The Mindanao Bishops’ letter of appeal led by Marbel Bishop Dinualdo D. Gutierrez stated its opposition to
MindanaoStar The Purveyor of Truth, Justice and Development
Volume II, No. 2
the SMI Glencore/Xstrata Copper-Gold Project and asked President Aquino III for a “God-enlightened decision.’ See project, page 7
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL
THE FOUR-WAY TEST of the things we think, say or do
1. Is it the TRUTH? 2. Is it FAIR to all concerned? 3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIP? 4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
web portal: www.businessweekmindanao.com Saturday-Sunday March 29-30, 2014
P10.00
With the Bangsamoro pact signed
Next step is to draft and pass the basic law - PNoy Environment body backs ICM project
By Azer N. Parrocha
P
resident Benigno S. Aquino III said on Thursday (March 27) that after the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), the next step is to have the basic law drafted and passed into law by both Houses of Congress. During the signing ceremony held at Kalayaan grounds in Malacanang, the President said that the next move is for the Bangsamoro Transition Commission to draft a Bangsamoro Basic Law. “Our mission now is to draft and pass this law so that it will be presented to the people for ratification in a plebiscite,” the President stressed. He said that the goal is to have the Bangsamoro Transition Authority in place by 2015, when it will serve as the interim Bangsamoro government until the elections in 2016. He explained that the law must be equitable, See draft, page 7
Signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro - President Benigno S. Aquino III and Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Haji Mohammad Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak witness MILF Peace Panel chairman Mohagher Iqbal GPH Peace Panel chairperson Professor Miriam Coronel-Ferrer and Malaysian facilitator Tengku Dato Abdul Ghafar affix their signatures to the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) in a ceremony at the Kalayaan Grounds of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (March 27, 2014). Our Muslim brothers attended the ceremony signifying the Aquino administration’s sincerity toward achieving peace with peoples of the Islamic faith. Eighteen months since the accomplishment of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, the government peace panel has produced four annexes, one addendum, and five terms of reference en route to the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro. Also in photo are MILF chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles.(PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.) CTB/jme
THE City Council committee on environment and natural resources chaired by Councilor Zaldy Ocon endorsed to the committee on laws and rules chaired by Councilor Ramon Tabor for appropriate action, a proposed ordinance authorizing City Mayor Oscar Moreno to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement(MOA) with Barangay Macasandig for the implementation of “Basura Livelihood Project and Material Recovery Facility,” which is part of the Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) project of the city. It may be recalled that the city government forged a MOA with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR10) for the implementation of ICM project. This is in line with Executive Order No. 533, declaring ICM as a national strategy to ensure sustainable development of the country’s coastal and See body, page 7
Gov. Emano hails signing of Bangsamoro peace pact
At least 8,000 Moro men and women gathered in Pikit, North Cotabato on Thursday (27 March 2014) to celebrate the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro in Manila. Mindanews Photo by Keith Bacongco
MISAMIS Oriental - Provincial Governor Yevgeny Vincente B. Emano on Friday hailed the signing of the Bangsamoro peace accord with the national government as “the new dawn for a new Mindanao.” “As Mindanaoans, we thank the Supreme God Almighty and rejoice with our Muslim brothers and sisters on the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro Framework,” Emano said in
a statement released Thursday. Emano underscored the sacrifices and endurance of the Bangsamoro people in their struggle for freedom and independence for centuries against foreign invaders and against all odds. He said that the Bangsamoro people are Filipinos no less than any of the country’s heroes who exhibited a distinct degree of bravery because the Bangsamoro people shed blood, in the
same battlefields as the country’s heroes have done in the past. Emano said that the Comprehensive Agreement finally defines the identity of the Bangsamoro people as Filipinos subject to the same Constitution and salute to the same national flag. “Most important of all, the Comprehensive Agreement is a recognition of the importance of our beloved Mindanao and the See hails, page 7
Governor Emano