By Ben Rosario  TANGUB CITY, Misamis Occidental – Swift development all over the country will depend significantly on how fast the leadership of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao to further push for peace and progress in its jurisdiction. Maguindanao Rep. Zajid Mangudadatu
(FACEBOOK / MANILA BULLETIN) Staunch peace advocate and Maguindanao Rep. Zajid “Dong” Mangudadatu aired this opinion as he expressed the optimism that the BARMM leadership will succeed in its push for peace. In caucuses he has been attending all over the country, Mangudadatu, an administration senatorial bet, said peace and development within BARMM will spill over other provinces in Mindanao which has been neglected for many years. One of the House members who played a vital role in the passage of the Bangsamoro Organic Law in Congress, Mangudadatu said peace will spur development not only on the island, but the entire country. “Kung maitaguyod natin ang kapayapaan, lalo na sa Mindanao, mae-engganyo ang mga investors na pumunta at magtayo ng negosyo. Ito ay magbibigay ng oportunidad at trabaho sa ating mga kababayan,” he said. (If peace is achieved, especially in Mindanao, investors will be lured to come and do business that will give our compatriots better opportunities and work) Mangudadatu, whose legislative agenda has peace and development on top, said many people not familiar of Mindanao would not see its big potential as the driver of the country’s economy. “Napakalaki po ng potensyal ng Mindanao na maaari nating pakinabangan lalo na ang malaking natural gas reserve,” he said. (Mindanao has a large potential that will be of advantage, especially the huge natural gas reserve). He also believes that many Filipinos working abroad would choose to return home and work for the country. “Kung may kapayapaan, maaari nang umuwi sa ating bansa ang mahigit dalawang milyong OFW na naghihirap at pinapasakitan sa abroad. Magiging malapit na sila sa kanilang pamilya at magbibigay din ito ng peace of mind sa kanilang mga mahal sa buhay,” he added. (If peace is achieved, the over two million OFWs who are facing difficulties abroad can return. They can be nearer their families, thus, give peace of mind to their loved ones) Moreover, Mangudadatu said the government will now think of spending money for Mindanao’s development rather than spending billions of taxpayers’ money on bullets and military armaments.