COTABATO CITY – Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) started Monday, Nov. 23, the first of its series of public consultations for BTA Bill No. 70 or the proposed Bangsamoro Education Code, with resource persons from the members of the academe, such as school superintendents, principals, administrators of madrasah and madaris, and other stakeholders.

“The Education Ministry needs to understand the needs, ideals, and aspiration of the ‘education community’, that’s why we are conducting this consultation,” said Minister of Education Mohagher Iqbal in his speech read by Member of the Parliament (MP) Atty. Rasol Mitmug.

MPs Iqbal and Mitmug are the chair and vice-chair, respectively, of the BTA’s panel on BEC.

“So the members of the education community can share their insights to enhance the draft (of BEC) and ensure its passage in the Parliament,” Iqbal added.

According to the Chapter III Section 2 of the BEC, education community refers to “those persons or groups of persons as such or associated in institutions involved in organized teaching and learning systems.”

Members and elements of the education community include parents, learners, school/education institution personnel, teaching or academic staff, school administrators, academic non-teaching personnel, non-academic personnel, and schools.

Monday’s consultation was conducted simultaneously at the BTA Extension Office and Pagana Kutawato Native Restaurant in the city; Jolo Town Hall Complex in Jolo, Sulu; R and R Garden in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi; and in SP Hall in Isabela City, Basilan. Meanwhile, consultation for Lanao del Sur will be held on November 27.

Gathered comments, suggestions, and recommendations from the resource persons, including submitted position papers, will be consolidated by the panel and submitted to the BTA’s Committee on Rules for review and deliberation .

According to Iqbal, the BEC signifies the Bangsamoro’s collective vision for inclusive, balanced, relevant, and effective educational system for the BARMM.

“To summarize, the Bangsamoro Government envisions an education system that focuses on developing learners or students, where competent teachers uses a relevant and adaptive curriculum, schools are well managed and become safe and creative spaces for learning; all school heads, administrators, and employees are transparent and accountable in carrying out their functions,” Iqbal said.

As cited in Chapter III Section 6 of the BEC, Iqbal said there are seven (7) principles that will guide the Bangsamoro Government, particularly the Education Ministry, in governing the Bangsamoro education system. These are:

• Inclusivity – Everyone shall have equal access to quality education regardless of beliefs, cultures, ethnicities, genders, needs, and abilities, and socio-economic backgrounds;
• Equity – Those who have less in life shall have more in educational services and opportunities;
• Rights-based – In the Bangsamoro, the right to receive a quality education and the concomitant obligation of the government to ensure the realization of such a right is an act of justice;
• Rooted in context – Bangsamoro Education shall take into consideration the diverse contexts of learners, educational institutions, and communities, including the historical narrative and aspirations of the Bangsamoro People, the Indigenous People, and Christians communities;
• Integrated – A Bangsamoro Education System that is integrated vertically and horizontally on all streams, levels, delivery modes, and types of education and allows for multiple entries and multiple exits within the system for all learners;
• Balanced – A holistic education approach where a learner’s intellectual, spiritual, psychological, and physical growth is given importance; and
• Moral Governance – Governance upholds ethical and legal principles, practices, and behavior in managing the education system.

Iqbal said the Bangsamoro Education Code “reflects the Bangsamoro people’s distinct historical identity, their long struggle to chart their political and economic destiny, and their ambition to build a future where all residents of the BARMM – Muslims, Indigenous People, and the Christians – can live together in justice and peace.”

Iqbal filed the BEC in the plenary during a special session held October 28. (Bureau of Public Information)

*Originally published by the Bangsamoro Information Office (https://bangsamoro.gov.ph/news/latest-news/bta-consults-academe-sector-for-proposed-bangsamoro-education-code/)

COTABATO CITY — The Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament concluded today, November 11, 2020 a three-day series of panel consultation on Cabinet Bill No. 59, otherwise known as the Bangsamoro Civil Service Code (BCSC) held at the BTA Extension Office, De Mazenod Avenue, this city.

Deputy Majority Floor Leader and Panel Chair Atty. Raissa Jajurie said the BCSC is one of the priority legislations that the Parliament is expected to enact within the transition period.

“The Bangsamoro Civil Service Code was filed on July 21 this year. The next day, we had our first hearing for the bill. On July 23, it was referred to the Committee on Rules after the sponsorship speech of the Majority Floor Leader,” Jajurie said.

Jajurie emphasized that the panel is tasked to gather comments, position papers and issues that will come from the resource persons. After gathering, they will present it to the Committee on Rules for deliberation.

The first day of consultation took place on Monday, November 09 via Zoom teleconference with invited experts, Dir. Dominador Gonzales and Atty. Mohammad Muktadir Estrella from the Civil Service Commission (CSC)- BARMM, Atty. Kruni Escudero from CSC Central Office; Department of Budget and Management (DBM) 12 Regional Director Akmad Usman, Undersecretary Herman Jumilla and John Aries Macaspac from DBM Central Office, and Atty. Nasiff Meditar of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Cotabato City Chapter.

On second day, November 10, the panel invited provincial governors, members of the leagues of mayors, vice-mayors, barangays, and councilors in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) as resource persons.

The consultation was presided over by panel member MP Omar Yasser Sema, who represented Panel Chair Jajurie. MP Aida Silongan and BARMM Attorney General Sha Elijah Alba, chair and vice-chair of the cabinet committee for the BCSC, were also present during the activity.

On the third and last day of the consultation, November 11, the panel invited Human Resource Management Officers (HRMOs) from the different ministries, offices and agencies in the BARMM via Zoom teleconference.

Jajurie is joined in the panel by MP Engr. Aida Silongan as vice-chair together with panel members, MP Atty. Laisa M. Alamia, MP Eddie M. Alih, MP Atty. Suharto M. Ambolodto, MP Engr. Baintan M. Ampatuan, MP Dr. Susana S. Anayatin, MP Ziaur-rahman A. Adiong, MP Atty. Anna Tarhata S. Basman, MP Musa K. Diamla, MP Atty. Maisara D. Latiph, MP Atty. Jose I. Lorena, MP Jamel D. Macaraya, MP Khadafeh F. Mangudadatu, MP Amilbahar S. Mawallil, MP Atty. Rasol Y. Mitmug, Jr., MP Atty. Ubaida C. Pacasem, MP Diamila D. Ramos, MP Romeo C. Saliga, MP Atty. Omar Yasser C. Sema, MP Romeo K. Sema, MP Atty. Paisalin P. Tago, MP Adzfar H. Usman and MP Atty. Nabil A. Tan.

Accordingly, the code is a result of dialogues with experts, and consultations and public hearings with various stakeholders in the Bangsamoro region’s five provinces, including some areas in North Cotabato.

“The Bangsamoro Civil Service Code hopes to provide an effective instrument for good governance and responsive policies on human resource administration of the Bangsamoro Government while addressing the legitimate needs and peculiarities of our people,” Silongan said.

Meanwhile, the participants are required to submit their position papers on Friday, November 13, 2020. (GALao, Publication and Media Relations Division, BTA Parliament)

*Originally published by the BTA-Publication and Media Relations Division (https://parliament.bangsamoro.gov.ph/latest-news/bta-parliament-holds-panel-consultation-for-bangsamoro-civil-service-code/)

COTABATO CITY – Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) has started Monday the series of panel consultations for the proposed Bangsamoro Civil Service Code (BCSC) or the BTA-Cabinet Bill No. 59.

The panel, constituted by the BTA’s Committee on Rules (COR), will conduct the consultation until November 11 at the BTA’s extension office in De Mazenod Avenue, Cotabato City.

The panel is chaired by Member of Parliament (MP) Atty. Raissa Jajurie, with MP Engr. Aida Silongan as vice-chair. Members include MPs Ziaur-Rahman Adiong, Eddie Alih, Suharto Ambolodto, Baintan Ampatuan, Susana Anayatin, Anna Tarhata Basman, Musa Diamla, Maisara Latiph, Jose Lorena, Jamel Macaraya, Khadafeh Mangudadatu, Amilbahar Mawallil, Rasul Mitmug, Ubaida Pacasem, Diamila Ramos, Romeo Saliga, Omar Yasser Sema, Romeo Sema, Paisalin Tago, Nabil Tan, and Adzfar Usman, with ex officio members such as Parliament Speaker Ali Balindong, Deputy Speaker Hatimil Hassan, Majority Floor Leader Lanang Ali, Jr., and Minority Leader Laisa Alamia.

“The panel is here to gather comments, position papers, and issues on the code that will come from our resource persons, and we will present it to the Committee on Rules for deliberation,” Jajurie said.

Resource persons include representatives from the Civil Service Commission national and BARMM offices, Department of Budget and Management, People Management Association of the Philippines, and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines; members of the leagues of mayors, vice-mayors, and councilors; regional and provincial human resource management officers; and sectoral representatives (regional and provincial heads).

The BCSC is one of the priority legislations the parliament needs to pass within the transition period. It was filed in the plenary on July 21 this year, and was referred to the COR July 23.

MP Silongan, who is also the chair of the cabinet committee tasked to craft the BCSC, said the code is a product of dialogues with experts, and consultations and public hearings with various stakeholders in the BARMM’s five provinces, including North Cotabato areas.

“BCSC hopes to provide an effective instrument for good governance and responsive policies on human resource administration of the Bangsamoro Government while addressing the legitimate needs and peculiarities of our people,” Silongan said.

The code also seeks to “provide a favorable policy environment that would give opportunities to qualified mujahideen to be considered for employment by the Bangsamoro Government during the transition period.”

“It is hoped that the BCSC will pave the way for the professionalization and institutionalization of the whole bureaucracy of the Bangsamoro Government,” Silongan said. (Bureau of Public Information)

*Originally published by the Bangsamoro Information Office (https://bangsamoro.gov.ph/news/latest-news/bta-starts-panel-consultation-for-bangsamoro-civil-service-code/)

Cotabato City (September 17, 2020)—The Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) is urging the Philippine National Police (PNP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to fast track the investigation regarding the massacre of nine (9) civilians in Kabacan, Cotabato Province via a resolution approved on Thursday, September 17.

The Proposed Resolution No. 302 strongly condemns the massacre of nine (9) civilians in Kabacan, Cotabato Province, that occurred on August 29, 2020 around noon time near the University of Southern Mindanao (USM).

“The BTA needs to have a stand regarding the massacre in Kabacan,” Member of Parliament (MP) Atty. Paisalin Tago, the principal author of the resolution, said.

The said resolution also respectfully urges the PNP, NBI, and CHR to fast track the investigation as well as bring the perpetrators to justice, as proposed by MP Jose Lorena.

MP Deputy Speaker Hatimil Hassan, Atty. Nabil Tan, Alim Ali, Eduardo Guerra, Mohammad Yacob, Dr. Safrullah Dipatuan, Atty. Jose Lorena, Abraham Burahan, Abdullah Hashim, Dr. Marjanie Macasalong, Alim Shiek, Suharto Ambolodto, and Atty. Ubaida Pacasem co-authored the said resolution.

Atty. Maisara Damdamun-Latiph, Princess Maleiha Candao, Sittie Shahara Mastura, Diamila Ramos, Nabila Pangandaman, Ali Salik, Amilbahar Mawallil, Rasol Mitmug, Dr. Susana Anayatin, Alim Mujahid, Abduladzis Esmael, Eddie Alih, Atty. Lanang Ali Jr., Ziaur Alonto-Adiong, Mohagher Iqbal, and Atty. Omar Yasser Sema, are also co-authors of the Proposed Resolution.

“Because of its necessity, we have to approve this. It reflects our dignity, our culture, and us as human beings and Bangsamoro people,” Tago stated.

The Bangsamoro Government has released a statement regarding the said massacre on August 30, 2020.

“These senseless violent acts have no place in a progressive society, especially at a time when people are in grip of a global pandemic. We want justice,” the statement affirmed.

Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim also assigned public order and safety minister MP Hussein Munoz to lead the investigation.

Fifty-four (54) MPs attended the session via online teleconferencing. Meanwhile, only 15 individuals are allowed inside its Executive Lounge during the session. This included Majority Floor Leader Atty. Lanang Ali Jr., the Speaker of the Day MP Atty. Omar Yasser Sema, and BTA Secretary General Prof. Raby Angkal and their respective staff. (Bureau of Public Information)

*Originally published by the Bangsamoro Information Office (https://bangsamoro.gov.ph/news/latest-news/bta-calls-law-enforcers-to-fast-track-kabacan-massacre-probe/)

Cotabato City (August 27, 2020)—The Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) approved Thursday, August 27, a resolution condemning the twin bombings last August 24 in heavily populated areas in downtown Jolo, Sulu.

Moreover, Member of Parliament (MP) Amir Mawallil, the proponent of Proposed Resolution No. 289, suggested that cash assistance can be immediately provided to the families of the bombing victims which accounted for 14 fatalities and injured at least 78 individuals, including government troops.

“An initial news report said that the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) will respond to those displaced, the victims, and the survivors of the recent bombing,” Mawallil said.

“Some of those who were affected and those who survived have the problem of how they’re going back to their livelihood, since some of them are selling on the streets when the incident happened,” Mawallil added.

The said resolution was authored by MPs Hatimil Hassan, Amir Mawallil, Eddie Alih, Abraham Burahan, Don Mustapha Loong, Atty. Jose Lorena, Al-Syed Sali, Atty. Laisa Alamia, Atty. Nabil Tan, Adzfar Usman, Atty. Suharto Ambolodto, Engr. Baintan Ampatuan, Rasul Ismael, and Atty. Rasol Mitmug Jr.

“The entire parliament is one with this resolution condemning the twin bombing in downtown Jolo, Sulu,” MP Ziaur-Rahman Adiong stated, who was the Speaker of the Day during the said session.

In addition to the support from the MSSD, it can also be recalled that after the unfortunate explosions, the Bangsamoro Government facilitated to offer assistance for the medical expenses of the victims through the Ayudang Medikal Mula sa Bangsamoro Government (AMBAG) Program of the Office of the Chief Minister.

Meanwhile, a resolution “expressing profound sympathy” to the late Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Undersecretary Dimasangcay Alangadi Pundato (Proposed Resolution No. 286) was approved during the said session.

The parliament also covered three committee reports, including the creation of the Bangsamoro Sports Commission (Committee Substitute Bill No. 52), an act institutionalizing policy for Bangsamoro overseas employment (Parliament Bill No. 36), and the special committee report on Marawi. (Bureau of Public Information)

*Originally published by the Bangsamoro Information Office (https://bangsamoro.gov.ph/news/latest-news/bta-condemns-jolo-bombings-bangsamorogovernment-to-provide-aid/)