The United Bangsamoro Justice Party-Lanao del Sur (UBJP-LDS) and Lanao del Norte (LDN) lauded the Senate and House of Representatives for their approval of the postponement of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) elections.
Congress has passed on the third and final reading Senate Bill No. 2214 and the House Bill 10121 on the postponement of BARMM elections from 2022 to 2025.
UBJP-LDS and LDN held a caravan on Saturday as they expressed gratitude to the supporters of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) extension, the Senate, the House, and President Rodrigo Duterte.
The caravan started at 7 a.m. as Johar B. Dimaporo, one of the organizers from the office of Member of Parliament (MP) Marjanie S. Mimbantas, said that due to community health restrictions, the caravan had two routes, one for the province's first district and another for the second district.
Dimaporo added that participating vehicles coming from the First District met at MPW Matampay, Marawi City, then proceeded to Baloi to Overton to Linamon to Matungao, and then back to Baloi and Marawi City.
The Second District participating vehicles met at MPW Malabang, then proceeded to Picong to SND rotonda, and then back to Picong.
Attendance and car numbers were distributed at MPW Matampay and MPW Malabang.
BARMM Deputy Chief Minister Alim Ali Solaiman said: “Praise be to Allah for making all of these possible, indeed if you are grateful, he will certainly give you more. Alhamdulillah.”
Solaiman also said BARMM is the product of all the collective efforts "of those who have fought with and believed in our Mujahideen forefathers,"
"Together with all that they are and would have been but could not be because they chose and took a risk for this opportunity that we have now," he said.
"The passage of a law that would extend BTA means a lot to us Bangsamoro people. This will mean that the lives and sacrifices of those who fought in this struggle and those who shed blood, sweat and tears for the future generation to have a prosperous, and peaceful future in a region that is fully capable of charting its own destiny will not go down the drain," he added.
Meanwhile, MP Said Shiek said that sustainable development and long-lasting peace in the region does not happen overnight.
"The 3-year transition period is too short for governmental reforms that will completely address and respond to the root causes of the problems in the Bangsamoro Region," Shiek stressed.
"We are very grateful to President Duterte for certifying the BTA Extension bill as urgent, to the congress for fast-tracking the bill and to the Bangsamoro people for their constant prayers, efforts, and untiring support," Shiek added.
MP Mimbantas said they see the extension as "life support to sustain the gains of peace."
"A vehicle to ensure that youth of today inherits a fully-enabled Bangsamoro region that can support them in their endeavors and development and help them assume their role as partners in nation-building," Mimbantas said.
"For the Bangsamoro youth and generations to come, I am deeply grateful to His Excellency President Duterte and to the members of the 18th Congress for their undying support," Mimbantas added.
The extension aims to extend the transition period of the BTA that has proven to be inadequate, given the current health crisis.
"It is imperative to ensure that the Bangsamoro region, with its long history of armed conflict and desire to institutionalize a culture of peace and prosperity, is able to undergo a complete and efficient transition. With the extension, the BTA will be given the chance to continue the work it has started that has paved the way for a progressive Bangsamoro," the group said.
