Saturday, September 29, 2007 Gov't urged to address resource use policies By Carlo P. Mallo
CIVIL society groups Friday called upon the government to seriously address policy issues related to resource use and governance that significantly affects peace and development efforts in Mindanao.
"We can only attain peace and development if the policies of the government provide an enabling environment for peace and development initiatives to thrive," Mary Luz Feranil, executive director of the Alternate Forum for Research in Mindanao (Afrim), said in Friday's press conference at the Grand Men Seng Hotel.
A five-year long collaborative study conducted by 10 non-governmental organizations analyzed how existing government policies relating to land rights and governance affect the communities of indigenous people, the Moslems, and even the settlers.
One of the highlights of the study is that a number of the policy issues being implemented right now require amendments or need to be repealed. "But a number also need to be clarified with the definitions and terms used in the law," Feranil added.
Some of the laws identified by the group that needs to be, at eh very least, revisited, are the Local Government Code of 1991, Indigenous People's Rights Act, Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law, Mining Act of 1995, and National Integrated Protected Areas System Act.
"Addressing the loopholes of these policy issues would help ensure sustainable community development in Mindanao," Feranil added.
Afrim is now consolidating various studies into a book to serve as a resource material for further studies and advocacy work.
