Category: BOL

MP Mitmug conducts FGD on proposed BLGC in Lanao

BOL BTA Lanao del Sur Legis News Updates No Comments

MARAWI CITY – The Office of Deputy Minority Floor Leader of the Bangsamoro Parliament, Atty. Rasol Y. Mitmug, Jr., conducted a focus group discussion on BTA Bill No. 58, otherwise known as the Bangsamoro Local Governance Code at Sarabi Cuisine and Café, MSU-Main Campus, Marawi City, last February 14.

One of the objectives of the program was to consult constituents of various backgrounds and expertise for the potential betterment of the said code. Fifteen resource persons were present during the one-day focus group discussion, each raising various concerns on the provisions of the bill. After the presentation of the salient provisions (the same presentation given by the Committee on Local Government), each participant was given five minutes to share their policy stance and recommendations.

Shariah Councilor Mala emphasized, “Kailangan dn na kabgan tano dn sa equal privilege so mga madrasah tano, sa lagid dn o kapmb’gantano sa equal opportunity siiko mga iskwelaan tano… why not i-incorporate tabo sagyanan a local school board so mga Madrasah tano?” [We need to give equal privileges to our madrasah/madaris, the same equal opportunities provided to our schools. Why don’t we incorporate the madaris in our local school boards?] This was in reference to the BLGC provision on local school boards which makes no mention of Madaris Division Superintendents or Assistant Madaris Division Superintendents in the membership of local school boards.

The Bangsamoro Education Code (BAA No. 18), which was passed into law in May 2021, provided for the inclusion of Madaris in the Bangsamoro Education System (Section 5, Coverage).

In the draft BLGC, part of the local school boards’ function is to, “Determine, in accordance with the criteria set by the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education, the annual supplementary budgetary needs for the operation and maintenance of public schools within the province, city or municipality, as the case may be, and the supplementary local cost of meeting such needs, which shall be reflected in the form of an annual school board budget corresponding to its share in the proceeds of the special levy on real property constituting the Special Education fund and such other sources of revenue as this Code and other laws or ordinances may provide.”

The BEC’s inclusion of the public Madaris system into the Bangsamoro Education System reflects in Section 167, which states that: “Public schools/Madaris and other public educational institutions shall be funded from public funds” and in Section 170: “The Bangsamoro Government, in collaboration with the National Government, shall extend financial aid and assistance to public schools and public madrasah established and maintained by local governments, including barangay high schools.”

Several queries and concerns were also raised over the anti-dynasty provision in the BLGC and the rampant practice of nepotism in the region. MP Mitmug assured the participants that all of these would be forwarded to the Committee on Local Government for proper documentation and their appropriate response.

Legal Education Board Commissioner Alexander D. Dumpa commended MP Mitmug’s office for the qualitative approach to gain a more in-depth understanding of the social issues or challenges that should be addressed in the drafting of said code.

MP Mitmug expressed his gratitude for the active participation of the resource persons and expressed his hope that others would continue to participate in future continuations of their office’s public consultations on the BLGC. This was the first implementation of the Bangsamoro Parliament Program, which was approved in last year’s budget deliberations. The BPP consists of Community Upliftment and Financial Assistance, Community Driven Legislation, and Special Activities Advocating and Championing Bangsamoro Culture and Communities. Mitmug assured that for the remainder of his term, more consultations and constituency outreach would be conducted.

Others present at the activity were stakeholders representing the youth, legal, religious, academe, and civil society organizations, namely: former ARMM Regional Vice Governor Haroun Alrashid A. Lucman, Jr., Mohammad Nasser C. Abbas, Atty. Ating D. Diacat, Sh.L, DPA, Macaumbao U. Baunto, JD, Dr. Abdul Hanan M. Tago, Dr. Tirmizy E. Abdullah, Ansary Masacal, CPA, Sharief Ismael D. Macabando, CPA, Kince Alhansah Panondiongan, JD, Honorable Anwar Galo-Lamping, Mohammad Ryan Radia, Nurul-Izza Sangcopan and Norhanidah D. Macatoon. Minority Floor Leader Atty. Laisa Alamia and Deputy Minority Floor Leader Engr. Baintan Ampatuan were also present via Zoom.

Aside from printed copies of the draft BLGC, all participants received a flash drive which included relevant documents on the BLGC, published ebooks of the Office of MP Mitmug, and instructions on how to use the Bangsamoro Codes Consultation Portal. Chief of Staff Al Amira Alonto reminded the participants that policy papers on the BLGC would still be received by the Priority Codes Secretariat until March 25, 2022.

Key members of BTA attends second day of BLGC consultation in Lanao

BOL BTA Lanao del Sur Legis Members of Parliament News No Comments
The second day of the Public Consultation on the proposed Bill No. 58, also known as the Bangsamoro Local Governance Code has transpired with the 2nd congressional district of Lanao del Sur as resource speakers.
 
Recommendations, suggestions, opinions and concerns were properly raised during the consultation proper by the respective resource persons.
 
Mayor Atty. Dimnatang Pansar, the President of Mayors’ League in Lanao del Sur and one of the resource persons as well, stated that they want to have a local government code that is responsive to the needs of the constituents.
 
Meanwhile, MP Jose Lorena explained that the draft code is divided into four books:
1. General Provisions,
2. Taxation and Fiscal Matters;
3. Bangsamoro Constituents, and
4. Miscellaneous and Final Provisions.
 
The public consultation on its second day were attended by Deputy Chief Minister Aleem Ali Solaiman, Vice Governor Mohammad Khalid “Mujam” R. Adiong, select Members of the BTA Parliament and Board Members Atty. Allan Panolong, Abdulhamid Amerbitor, SP Secretary Atty. Amenodin Macalandap, President of Mayors’ League of Lanao del Sur Atty. Dimnatang Pansar, Municipal Mayors, Vice Mayors, Councilors, and Representatives from LGUs.
 

BTA holds first public consultation on Bill No. 58 in Lanao

BOL BTA Lanao del Sur Legis Members of Parliament News No Comments
The Office of Deputy Minority Floor Leader Atty. Rasol Y. Mitmug, Jr. attends the first public consultation on the Proposed Bangsamoro Local Government Code (BTA Bill No. 58) at Social Hall, Provincial Capitol, Lanao del Sur.
 
 
MP Jose Lorena presented the salient features of the Bangsamoro Local Governance Code, emphasizing that “this code will avoid the duplication of supervision by the Ministry of Interior Local Government and the Department of Interior Local Government.”
 
Meanwhile, MP Atty. Paisalin Tago, Committee on Local Government-Lanao del Sur Chair, reiterated the importance of the measure stating that, “The local governance code is the most important legislation that the Bangsamoro Parliament should pass because it establishes the relationship between local government units and the Bangsamoro government.”
 
The first day of the public consultation were attended by Deputy Chief Minister Aleem Ali Solaiman, Vice Governor Mujam R. Adiong, members of the BTA Parliament and 1st District of Lanao del Sur Board members, Municipal Mayors, Vice Mayors, Councilors, ABC Presidents and representatives from LGUs.
 

‘Mental health care should be a reality’, says MP Mitmug as bill enters second reading

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Full text of MP Rasol Mitmug’s SPONSORSHIP SPEECH ON BILL 147 OR THE BANGSAMORO MENTAL HEALTH ACT OF 2021 delivered last November 25, 2021:

Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues, honorable members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, ladies and gentlemen, Assalamu alaikum Warahmatullahi taala Wabarakatuh. Good afternoon to all.

We are pleased that the bill, Bangsamoro Mental Health Act of 2021, has now entered the second reading. We thank the members of the parliament who co-authored with us in this measure.

Mental Health is as important as physiological health. This statement, more than ever, reflects the challenges that we encounter as we face this pandemic. Mental health is a rapidly growing concern and we are giving attention to this matter as we address various health needs of our communities in the Bangsamoro. Daily we struggle with stress and anxiety which make mental health concerns serious matter. Stigma on mental illness should never be a hindrance in responding to this critical crisis.

Remember that in this uncertain moments to be kind to yourself, be kind to your mind. But what does it really mean?  Mr. Speaker, we sponsor this bill because all sectors, including employees, students, people living alone, and those with pre-existing mental health conditions, have been particularly affected by the pandemic. Such effect has been magnified for those with pre-existing mental health issues, they have to suffer more than most because their access to medication is disrupted by the pandemic.

Mr. Speaker, when the pandemic broke out, this representation, together with the Health Organization for Mindanao (HOM), created an online platform which aims to respond to the common mental health needs of communities. Modules and materials have been improved to focus more on Islamic Mental Health (IMH) and are readily available on the IMH website and facebook page. When asked about our motivation for giving attention to mental health, we recounted our local experiences during the Yolanda disaster, Marawi conflict and Mamasapano encounter. The communities directly affected by these crises experienced depressive symptoms and other mental health concerns but less attention was given to that matter. Taking care of mental health can be easily overlooked, hence, efforts concerning mental health in the region should be initiated and supported.

While challenges on mental health is a growing health concern in the region, it is timely that the Bangsamoro region is still on its transition period, thus, codes are still being drafted. Particularly, measures on mental health can still be incorporated by the BTA members which can safeguard the general welfare of BARMM constituents should another pandemic and even other forms of disaster affecting mental health arise. Mental health care should be a reality. Hence, the very essence of this bill.

During the World Health Assembly in May 2021, governments from around the world recognized the need to scale up quality mental health services at all levels. And some countries have found new ways of providing mental health care to their populations. Our new normal entails a lot of adjustments in our lifestyles, our work schedules, and our children’s schooling. But our new normal should also include major improvements in our public health system and policies and in how we protect our health, both body and mind.

As an autonomous government, it is thus proper for the Bangsamoro region to establish its own Bangsamoro Council for Mental Health, which will be responsible for recommending programs, projects, and policies for the mental health and well-being of the Bangsamoro people. As the region’s inter-agency body on mental health, they will be better capacitated to implement the recommendations mentioned earlier. We also call for educational institutions to adopt a social, emotional and ethical learning approach that integrates the trauma-informed approach increases, and as disasters are expected to increase even more given the worrisome climate change.

In view of the foregoing, the support of all the Members of the Parliament for the prompt passage of this measure is earnestly sought.

Thank you, my dear colleagues. Thank you, Mr. Speaker

The bill was filed in the BTA parliament on November 2, 2021 with MP Rasol Mitmug, Jr. as main author.

IBS holds consultation on land policy in BARMM

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The Institute of Bangsamoro Studies (IBS) held a consultation forum on land, housing, and property policy in the BARMM last  July 28, 2021 at Em Manor Hotel, Cotabato City.

 

Ms. Ica Fernandez, IBS consultant, presented the summary of her initial findings on the said topic as a result of her region-wide public consultations. Major issues and challenges were identified as well as possible solutions from the legislative and executive branch of the government. The consensus are in agreement that land is one of the most complex and complicated challenge and opportunity for the Bangsamoro.

After the presentation, the participants were given the chance to share their ideas, experiences  and knowledge in relation to the findings. There was also a productive exchange of ideas on land governance from representatives coming from the key regional government offices, CSOs, and private sectors.

According to Atty. Anwar Malang, the establishment of Bangsamoro Land Commission could settle things on land issues properly. He added that the Commission could adjudicate matters on land policies on agrarian reform based on Amanah (trust).

Meanwhile, Eshan Karl Mabang, Division Chief of Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy, mentioned that the existing system is already quite good and would only need a proper implementation of the 2015 cadastral survey of the LGUs.

Fernandez remarked that all suggestions and recommendations were all insightful and have been duly noted. The same would be part of the final output of the IBS for submission to the legislative body.

MP Rasol Mitmug is one of the key informants in the findings of Fernandez, together with other Members of the Parliament. This consultation is part of the Citizen’s Engagement for Inclusive Policy and Programs in the Bangsamoro of the IBS, in partnership with The Asia Foundation and USAID – US Agency for International Development.

 

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