Students attend BBL forum, urged to understand the law

CEBU, Philippines - The Embassy of Canada, in partnership with the University of San Jose-Recoletos, yesterday gathered students in a forum on responsible media to communicate the message on the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) to the youth and future media practitioners.

Journalist Joseph Morong, the main speaker, encouraged the students from the different universities in Cebu to give time to understand what BBL truly means before believing in respective perceptions.

During the forum, Morong, the Marshall Mcluhan Fellow 2015 awardee, presented the poor situation in Mindanao, saying some of the areas there are being left behind, such as the children who do not have the chance to go to school.

“Their dreams (Moro youth) are not yet in reality, but yours are closer,” Morong said.

The Bangsamoro Peace Process gained supports from Canada, Japan, Australia and United States.

Morong recognized Canada for the financial support amounting to P128 million in security assistance to address regional and global security threats and P54 million in training assistance to police officers.

Students on BBL

A mass communication student from Benedicto College, Quenie Rose Toning, told The FREEMAN that she learned a lot from the forum.

“Nalipay ko kay naa koy nakat-unan more aning BBL, at the same time, na-build ang akong simpatiya para sa mga tawo nga naa didto,” she said.

A student from Mindanao who requested anonymity said he is not in favor of the BBL because it does not have 100 percent assurance that all areas will not be left behind.

“If ma-approve na by the Philippine Government, we will be part of the ARMM, and we will be having transitions. Iba na ang mamalakad at walang assurance that it will not cause any harm. Mas marami pa rin ang negative impact nito sa amin kaysa sa mga positive,” he said.

Michelle Karin Holzer, a communication student from the University of San Jose- Recoletos, said she is also not in favor of the BBL.

 “Nana man gud ta’y ARMM, nganong maghimo pa man og BBL?” Holzer said.

In the 2015 Social Weather Station Survey, only 3 percent has extensive knowledge of the BBL, 44 percent has little knowledge, and 37 percent does not know about it.

Morong said that in order to accept the concept of the law, everyone needs to wash out the negative histories of war in Mindanao that people from Cebu and Luzon have believed all these years.

“There is really a hope,” said Morong. — (FREEMAN)