Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. (Photo by NOEL CELIS / AP)
MANILA, Philippines — Lawmakers from Mindanao, led by House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, are leaving for Saudi Arabia on Monday for investment talks.
The lawmakers will meet with members of the Council of Saudi Arabia Chamber of Commerce and the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce to explore opportunities for doing business in Mindanao.
The group is composed of Lanao del Sur Rep. Mauyag Papandayan Jr., Amin party-list Rep. Makmod Mending Jr., Maguindanao Rep. Amihilda Sangcopan, Maguindanao Rep. Bai Sandra Sema), Tawi-Tawi Rep. Ruby Sahali), and Kusug Tausug party-list Rep. Shernee Tan.
Arroyo was apparently invited by her counterpart Dr. Abdullah Bin Mohammed Bin Ibharim Al Sheik, President of Consultative Assembly of Saudi Arabia for an official visit.
The two leaders would also meet in Riyadh for a series of meetings.
The group is set to return to the Philippines on Wednesday, Jan. 30.
According to Arroyo, looking for investors would be the next step after the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).
“The Bangsamoro congressmen are now eager to go to the next step — try to get investments,” Arroyo said. “So that having the Bangsamoro they will be able to bring down the poverty there by having business activities so we’re helping them out.”
On Jan. 21, the “yes” votes for BOL ratification won in the first of two plebiscites scheduled by the Commission on Elections.
The majority of provinces under the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao voted in favor of BOL ratification. /atm