MANILA, Philippines – Kinontra ng ilang mga grupo na binubuo ng mga lokal na pamahalaan sa bansa ang anumang hakbang na ihiwalay ang alinmang rehiyon ng Pilipinas, kabilang ang Mindanao.
Hinimok ng Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) ang publiko na magkaisa upang maabot ang “inclusive” at “sustainable development” sa buong bansa.
“ULAP calls upon national and local governments, community groups, and civil society organizations to collaborate towards inclusive and sustainable development across the Philippines,” saad sa pahayag ni ULAP national president Quirino Gov. Dakila Cua.
“We believe that the entire nation, including Mindanao, with its abundant resources and untapped potential, can flourish through cooperative and collective efforts,” dagdag ni Cua.
Iginiit niya na isinusulong ng ULAP ang kahalagahan ng pananatili ng integridad ng teritoryo ng Pilipinas kasabay ng pagkilala sa diverse local at regional identities kabilang ang Mindanao.
Para naman sa League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP), sinabi nitong suportado nila ang “united” at “undivided” Philippines sa kabila ng panawagan na ihiwalay ang Mindanao mula sa Pilipinas.
“The League of Cities of the Philippines supports the Department of the Interior and Local Government on its call for a united country to continue our achievements in peace, progress, and prosperity,” ayon kay LCP president and Cebu City mayor Michael Rama.
“We cannot overemphasize the importance of working together, of moving as one, propelled by our genuine concern for the plight of our fellow Filipinos. Now, more than ever, we should be guided by compassion and sensitivity to attain progress together,” dagdag niya.
Sa kabilang banda, tutol din ang League of Provinces of the Philippines sa panukalang ihiwalay ang Mindanao sa kabuuan ng bansa.
“While the proposal promotes self-determination by its people to chart their future, it is myopic and parochial in world that is becoming open and borderless,” saad sa hiwalay na pahayag ng LPP.
“It destroys the integrity of the territory of the nation, which is already facing unhampered violations of its sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). It promotes division of a nation seeking to be united in diversity and distinctions,” dagdag naman nito.
Ipinunto rin nila na ang proposal na ihiwalay ang Mindanao ay “motivated by politics rather than a genuine regard for autonomy and decentralization.”
Sa news conference noong nakaraang linggo, sinabi ni dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ang ideya na ihiwalay ang Mindanao mula sa Pilipinas sa pamamagitan ng proseso ng pagkalap ng lagda. RNT/JGC
