PCID Statement on the signing of the Annex on Revenue Generation and Wealth Sharing The Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy (PCID) congratulates the negotiating panels of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) for the signing of the Annex on Revenue Generation and Wealth Sharing. We laud the panels’ steadfast resolve to achieve a compromise regarding such a contentious and important issue. PCID welcomes the signing of this annex as a step forward towards achieving lasting peace in Mindanao. PCID hopes that this annex will strengthen the foundation for genuine fiscal autonomy for the Bangsamoro. PCID believes that this signing of the annex will boost the people’s optimism that a final peace agreement is within reach, this year. Although challenges are in the horizon as talks about Power Sharing and Normalization are about to commence, PCID acknowledges that the signing of the Annex on Revenue Generation and Wealth Sharing is a good sign that both panels are committed towards achieving a just and fair agreement. PCID, however, sees that the annex is just an initial step towards fiscal autonomy and economic development in the Bangsamoro. PCID considers fiscal autonomy as an integral part of genuine autonomy but it also recognizes that achieving this would require fiscal responsibility from the people and their officials. PCID recommends that in order to fully actualize the visions in this annex, the Bangsamoro and National Governments must capacitate local officials to adequately implement the taxation provisions in what would be the Bangsamoro Basic Law. We also hope that the Transition Commission will develop the appropriate implementing and monitoring mechanisms as part of the Basic Law. There is also a need to educate the people on how these taxes will facilitate development in their region, and to train them to expect transparency and accountability from their government. Lastly, we assert the primacy of the peace process and ask both Panels to continue fast-tracking the remaining Annexes of the negotiations. We also ask the Transition Commission to conduct parallel efforts in preparing for the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law. We, as civil society, are prepared to assist in any way.
Posted on: Wed, 17 Jul 2013 08:12:43 +0000
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