Paez: Cooperatives play big role in Bangsamoro normalization

Bet lauds MILF, Aquino admin for commitment to peace process as CAB enters second year; Paez, Davao solon fight attempts to 4Ps budget cuts

COTABATO City–Daang Matuwid senatorial candidate Cris “Mr. Coop” Paez lauded the Moro National Liberation Front and the administration of President Aquino for staying the course of peace despite failure of Congress to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law.
Paez, who represents Coop Natcco Party List in the House of Representatives, said that cooperativism has a big role in the peace process. As social enterprises, cooperatives help micro, small and medium enterprises that may flourish in Bangsamoro Mindanao because of peace, he said.
He also said that large cooperatives can help in mobilizing resources to help small farmers and local producers as the conflict areas escalate the normalization process under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) which turned two years old last March 30.
“I am very optimistic and excited to work for the development of conflict areas in Mindanao, bringing with me my expertise in cooperativism,” Paez said.
The senatorial candidate also said he would author the law making the Conditional Cash Transfer and its 4Ps project into a law.
“Unlike others who are only saying now that they want the 4Ps to become a law, I was one of the few who consistently advocated for the increase of the 4Ps budget in 2016 both at the House of Representatives and the Bicameral Conference Committee,” Paez said.
“As an expression of my peace advocacy, I have stood in the House and in the Bicameral Conference Committee to restore the P8 billion budget from the 4Ps senators want slashed and instead used to buy guns and bullets,” said Paez who also voted for the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law.
According to records of the Senate and the Bicameral Conference Committee, Senators Tito Sotto and Juan Ponce Enrile wanted to slash by P8 billion the 2016 budget of the 4Ps and realigned to the budget of the Depertment of National Defense. Paez along with Davao City 3rd district Rep. Isidro Ungab, also the House Budget Committee chairman protected the 4Ps budget at the 2016 General Appropriations Act Bicameral Conference Committee. For the Senate, re-electionists senate president Franklin Drilon and senator Ralph Recto fought against the budget cuts Sotto and Enrile wanted.
As an instrument of equity, economic growth and social justice as mandated in the Constitution, Paez said he would bat for more appropriation for cooperative development in conflict areas.
The Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), he added, should be strengthened and given more budget to better serve poor entrepreneurs especially in the conflict areas.
“Rolling out of livelihood projects is imperative in the normalization process and no time should be wasted in doing this as this is an essential safeguard to peace,” Paez said.
Among the legislative agenda of Paez that may directly benefit the Bangsamoro areas is his advocacy to abolish irrigation fees.
“Central Mindanao has the Liguasan Marsh which is an excellent source of irrigation. Aside from government giving free irrigation, there is a need to modernize it,” said Paez who was born in Sindangan, Zamboange del Norte.
The unwavering commitment of both the MILF and the Aquino administration to put an end to the conflict in the Bangsamoro Mindanao should be supported. “This is one of the most important reason why the Daang Matuwid government should be supported – to protect and sustain the gains of the peace process,” Paez said.
The Daang Matuwid Coalition brings its campaign to Cotabato City today and in General Santos City on April 1.
The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (Opapp) had said during the CAB signing anniversary that the MILF and the Aquino administration has agreed to continue its commitment to the peace process.
“Together, we kept moving ever onwards, determined to give this tired, tired land the fresh start it so sorely needs, and keeping faith that in the end, peace will always win. Our faith is not misplaced: the peace process, while badly hit, remains intact; while battered, it has emerged, I daresay, even stronger,” said Opapp Secretary Teresita Quintos Deles during the CAB anniversary celebration held at the Notre Dame University gymnasium in the City earlier this week. PR