COTABATO CITY – To strengthen Mindanao’s position in the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines–East Asia Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and the city of Cotabato agreed to create a Joint Customs, Immigration, Quarantine, and Security (CIQS) Task Force.

ARMM Gov. Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan and Cotabato City Mayor Muslimin G. Sema welcomed the formation of the CIGQS Task Force through a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed on October 19 at the Estosan Garden Hotel in this city.

In a message from Ampatuan delivered by ARMM Executive Secretary Oscar Sampulna, the ARMM governor said that he is very happy and thankful for the support and the creation of the Joint CIQS Task Force for the autonomous region and Cotabato City.

“With the mounting challenges we continue to face in our pursuit of progress and peace, a vital and resolute alliance between good neighbors is an inevitable and wise option,” Ampatuan said in his message.

Sampulna signed the MoA for the ARMM, composed of the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi and the city of Marawi, while Sema represented Cotabato City.

Other signatories include Undersecretary Virgilio Leyretana Sr., chairman of the Mindanao Economic and Development Council (MEDCo), lawyer Ronnie Silvestre of the Bureau of Customs, and CIQS Task Force chairman Pedro Quiñones.

“This will boost more opportunities for our people to involve and engage in trading and commerce,” Sema said. He cited the timeliness of the task force, particularly with the continuing threat posed by the Influenza A(H1N1) virus.

In a mobile phone interview, Sampulna relayed the formation of the CIQS Task Force, saying it also binds the ties of ARMM and Cotabato City and their residents.

During the signing of the MoA, the ARMM’s Bureau of Public Information (BPI-ARMM) said needed units of equipment for the body were turned over to strengthen its operation and activities.