File photo of BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim and Cotabato City Mayor Mohammad ‘Bruce’ Matabalao. (Photo courtesy of Cotabato City Government)
COTABATO CITY—Cotabato City’s 65th-anniversary celebration on Thursday, June 20, resonated with a renewed commitment to peace and progress, with Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim reaffirming the regional government’s dedication to building upon the gains achieved through the Bangsamoro peace process.
“On this happy day, the Bangsamoro Government shares the joy felt by all Cotabateños. We affirm our commitment to sustaining the gains of the peace process we all enjoy today,” he said in a statement released on the same day.
He added that the peace process entails fixing historical injustices and bridging the gaps in economic progress.
In 2014, the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) signed the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), the official document, where the Bangsamoro peace process was anchored.
It is also the final peace accord, which ended more than a score of their armed conflict.
On January 21, 2019, the city formally became part of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), wherein a majority of the city’s voters favored the inclusion, resulting in the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), the governing law that established the autonomous region.
“We congratulate the people of Cotabato City, under the active leadership of Mayor Para sa Lahat Mohammad Ali ‘Bruce’ Matabalao, on another year of bringing a new type of leadership to Cotabato City. Indeed, 65 years of delivering service to the people is an extraordinary feat,” the Chief Minister said.
Ebrahim recalled the “new beginning” brought about by the creation of the city on June 20, 1959, by virtue of Republic Act No. 2364.
“Sixty-five years ago, Cotabato Municipality became the City of Cotabato, ushering in a new era of hope and progress for its people and neighboring areas. Cotabato City is known for its rich history and heritage, its majestic landscape, its gastronomic delights, and its welcoming people,” he emphasized.
The Chief Minister urged the Cotabateños to renew their dedication to securing peace, economic prosperity, and social and cultural improvement here.
He further expressed his optimism for a maintained triumph for Cotabato City, pursuant to its aim of becoming a highly urbanized city. (Johamin Inok/BIO)
