With the theme, ‘summon unity and solidarity among Bangsamoro towards achieving their goals and objectives,’ the group of Development Catalysts (DCs) of Bangsamoro Development Agency-Central Mindanao (BDA-CenMin) organized and advocacy on normalization at Bugawas Elementary School, Barangay Bugawas, Datu Odin Sinsuat (DOS), Maguindanao on December 31, 2015.

The advocacy aims to give appropriate information about normalization of the Bangsamoro; and, to advocate the need of strengthening unity and solidarity along with their legitimate struggle for freedom and self-determination.

Sheikh Ormar Hamdan, BDA-CenMin Provincial Development Catalyst (PDC) emphasized, “we are hoping the activity will contribute to further strengthen the unity and solidarity of the Bangsamoro with focus on normalizing their abnormal situation.”

It was reported that there were 293 participants composed of PDCs, Municipal Development Catalysts (MDCs), Barangay Development Catalysts (BDCs), and trainers of BDA-CenMin and other organized sectors of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) such as Social Welfare Committee (SCW), Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF), Political Committees (PolCom), Women Sector (WS), Da’wah, among others.

One of the speakers invited in the advocacy was in the person of Nash Pulindao, Director of the Provincial Information Committee.

In his lectures, Pulindao first gave information and updates about the Normalization.

Pulindao said, “normalization is when there is holistic development in the Bangsamoro homeland, and that all of their social and basic needs are sustained.”

“Normalization is also bringing back the love and trust of the Bangsamoro people, while making them live in a normal life without fear of being oppressed,” Pulindao added.

In support to the normalization, Prof. Hashim B. Manticayan, BDA-CenMin Regional Manager in his message, mentioned the verse from the Qur’an that enjoins unity and solidarity not just for the Bangsamoro but the Muslims in general, “And hold fast, all together to the rope of Allah and be not divided among yourselves,” (Surah Imran:103).

Manticayan also emphasized that the BDA as development agency will continue its development intervention with or without the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

Along with the development intervention of BDA, he clarified that the main project of BDA is capacitating people considering the fact that the mantra of the agency is, “building people who will build the nation.”

Thus the agency has to continue its development intervention, he ended.

(BDA CommGroup, Central Mindanao Region)