Tag: #BangsamoroParliament

Bill to memorialize the bravery of MNLF’s Top 90 and 300 core members now on plenary

COTABATO CITY — Some of the Bangsamoro Parliament members introduced a bill in the plenary seeking to honor the valor of the Top 90 and Top 300 core members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

The bill, which also seeks to recognize the important contribution of the “young brave men” in preserving the safety and well-being of the Bangsamoro people, was filed by Amir Mawallil, Atty. Rasol Mitmug Jr., Atty. Suharto Ambolodto, Engr. Baintan Adil-Ampatuan, Sittie Shahara Mastura, Atty. Laisa Alamia, Engr. Don Loong, Rasul Ismael, and Abraham Burahan.

The Top 90 were composed of the BARMM’s various ethnolinguistic groups that questioned the socio-political landscape in Mindanao and sought to address social injustices against the Bangsamoro people.

In 1972, the MNLF’s Top 90 core members grew and recruited 300 young Muslims to join the group.

“It is strange, however, that until today one cannot find a fitting monument in the BARMM that would serve as a lasting memorial to these courageous men who fought to assert our rights and affirm our distinct historical identity and birthright from those who attempted to subdue it,” the bill’s explanatory read.

The authors said that the BARMM needs a memorial that will be visited and revered by all, particularly by the present and future generations.

They said that it is right to remember the heroism of the Top 90 and Top 300 core members, given the immense devotion they have displayed repeatedly.

Every Bangsamoro, the authors noted, should be educated about the lives and heroism of the said brave men to understand the fundamental principles for which they fought—freedom, justice, and autonomy.

“The Top 90 and 300 core members, the unsung champions of the Bangsamoro struggle, should be given proper recognition for the bravery they have manifested in continuously fighting for our rights,” the authors said in the explanatory note.

Under the proposed bill, the Bangsamoro Commission for the Preservation of the Cultural Heritage (BCPCH), as the agency responsible for writing the Bangsamoro history and sustaining the BARMM’s cultural institutions and projects, is tasked to produce and publish the official names of the mentioned MNLF.

The proposed legislation also called for the construction of a regional monument, the organization of relevant activities and materials to the education sector, and the holding of an annual commemoration. (Publication and Media Relations Division)

*Originally published by the BTA-Publication and Media Relations Division (https://parliament.bangsamoro.gov.ph/latest-news/bill-to-memorialize-the-bravery-of-mnlfs-top-90-and-300-core-members-now-on-plenary/)

Parliament bill hopes to strengthen BARMM’s satellite coordinating offices

COTABATO CITY — The Bangsamoro Parliament has proposed a measure that will strengthen the Bangsamoro Satellite Coordinating Offices, citing that it will increase operational effectiveness and reinforce the efficient government’s program implementation.

Bill No. 116 or Bangsamoro Satellite Coordinating Office Act of 2021 proposes to improve collaboration, coordination, management, and communication between the regional government and its component local government units.

The bill aims to ensure that the BARMM’s three sub-regions, South Western, North Central, and South Central Mindanao, have “full and effective participation” in developing and implementing the projects in the region.

It will function as the Chief Minister’s coordinating offices, providing advisory or consultative services on their respective sub-regions.

“The coordination between these areas as well as the different levels of the government in the region is essential to ensuring the protection of the general welfare of the Bangsamoro people,” authors wrote in their explanatory note.

BASCO, as mentioned in the bill, is expected to exercise the following powers and functions:

  • To coordinate and evaluate the implementation of all programs and projects in the sub-region;
  • To mandate the LGUs in submitting comprehensive local development plans, in coordination with their Local Planning Officer and Local Development Council;
  • To establish linkages with the region’s LGUs in pursuing program development;
  • To recommend the enactment of local ordinances and the enhanced implementation of local programs;
  • To assist in the implementation of all cross-border regional projects along and within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region; and
  • To promulgate rules and regulations and perform such other powers and functions necessary.

“Close cooperation and continuous dialogue between these regional actors will enable the Bangsamoro Government to make informed decisions and crucial changes in its implementation, if needed, and ultimately lead to responsiveness and efficiency,” they added.

Members of the Parliament Amir Mawallil, Engr. Baintan Ampatuan and Atty. Rasol Mitmug presented the bill in the plenary on Wednesday. (Publication and Media Relations Division)

*Originally published by the BTA-Publication and Media Relations Division (https://parliament.bangsamoro.gov.ph/latest-news/parliament-bill-hopes-to-strengthen-barmms-satellite-coordinating-offices/)

 

Bangsamoro Gazette Bill Enters 2nd Reading

Parliament Bill No. 108, otherwise known as the Bangsamoro Gazette bill, was filed by MP Rasol Y. Mitmug, Jr. on June 10, 2021, and will proceed to its 2nd reading in the Bangsamoro Parliament at the 63rd plenary session.

But what does the Bangsamoro Gazette bill entail? It seeks to operationalize the Bangsamoro Gazette as provided for in the Bangsamoro Administrative Code.

Who will edit or supervise the Bangsamoro Gazette?

The Bangsamoro Information Office (BIO) will have supervision and editorial authority over the Bangsamoro Gazette.

What will be the content of the Bangsamoro Gazette?

The Bangsamoro Gazette will publish all legislative acts and resolutions, executive/ administrative issuances, Shari’ah Courts’ decisions or abstracts, and other public documents of general application.

Where can the public read the Bangsamoro Gazette?

Aside from its printed copies, the general public may access the Bangsamoro Gazette’s online version via its website.

When will it be published?

The BIO shall publish the Bangsamoro Gazette quarterly or as frequently as the public interest may require. Electronic publication on the website will be daily or as often as possible.

Why do we even need a Bangsamoro Gazette?

Section 12 and 14 of Chapter 3, Book I of the Bangsamoro Administrative Code (BAA 13) provides for the legal basis of the Bangsamoro Gazette.

Section 12. Effectivity of Executive Issuances. Executive issuanes shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following the completion of their publication in the Bangsamoro Gazette or in a newspaper of regional circulation, unless otherwise provided.

Section 14. Bangsamoro Gazette. The Bangsamoro Gazette shall be of the official gazette of the Bangsamoro Government which will publish all legislative acts and resolutions of a public nature, all executive and administrative issuances of general application, decisions or abstracts of decisions of the Shari’ah Courts of sufficient importance to be published, documents or classes of documents as may be required to be published by law and such documents or classes of documents of general application.

The Bangsamoro Gazette shall be published by the Bangsamoro Information Office (BIO) in the English language and whenever applicable, in Filipino and Arabic. It shall be made available to all national and local agencies upon subscription. The Bangsamoro Library and Archives shall servce as the official custodian and repository thereof.

Ministries and all offices and agencies shall submit copies of their issuances and similar documents to the Bangsamoro Information Office for publication.

Upon written request, the Bangsamoro Information Office shall translate the relevant documents in Arabic in coordination with the Bangsamoro Darul Ifta’.

In addition, Section 19, Chapter 3, Book I of the Bangsamoro Administrative Code specifies the need for publishing issuances before it is deemed effective.

Section 19. Government-wide Application of the Classification of Issuances. The Office of the Chief Minister shall provide such assistance as may be necessary to effect general adherence to the foregoing classification of issuances, including the conduct of studies for developing sub-classifications and guidelines to meet peculiar needs. All administrative issuances of a general or permanent character shall be compiled, indexed, and published pursuant to the provisions of this Code. Publication of administrative issuances affecting the public is required before the same shall become effective.

The Bangsamoro Attorney General’s Office shall be furnished with all the copies of the foregoing issuances and shall be repository of all these issuances. Likewise, copies shall be provided to the Bangsamoro Library and Archives.

How will the Bangsamoro Gazette benefit the people?

The Bangsamoro Gazette shall help fulfill the Bangsamoro people’s right to information and can lead to a more open, accountable, and participatory government.

The former ARMM-Regional Legislative Assembly passed a total of 338 laws (data from RLA-Reference and Research Division).

While many of these legislations were laudable, the knowledge and awareness of these laws failed to trickle down to the grassroots level. (Note: Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Acts are still operational unless amended by the Bangsamoro Transition Authority).

Many were simply unaware of the RLA’s legislative accomplishments as well as the government programs available to them.

This bill hopes to address the information gap that exists. The Bangsamoro Organic Law enshrines the Bangsamoro’s right to self-governance, the right to participate in political processes, and the right of access to basic services.

Section 2. Self-Governance. In the exercise of its right to self-governance, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region is free to pursue its political, economic, social, and cultural development as provided for in this Organic Law. (Article IV)

Section 3. Democratic Political System. The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region shall have a democratic political system that allows its people to freely participate in the political processes within its territorial jurisdiction. The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region shall have a parliamentary form of government. (Article IV)

Section 8. Right of Access to Basic Services. The Bangsamoro Government shall provide, maintain, and ensure the delivery of basic and responsive health programs, quality education, appropriate services, livelihood opportunities, affordable and progressive housing projects, power and electricity, and water supply, among others, to the Bangsamoro people and other inhabitants of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region. It shall maintain appropriate disaster-preparedness units for immediate and effective relief services to victims of natural and man-made calamities. It shall also ensure the rehabilitation of calamity-affected areas and victims of calamities. (Article IX)

It can be argued that the Bangsamoro people cannot fully participate in political processes, nor practice their right to self-governance, without first being granted access to information.

This bill is also in line with the12-point agenda of the Bangsamoro Government, and the policy direction of the Government of the Day:

4. Continuity of Existing Government Services
Set up and implement programs and projects that will respond to the pressing social and economic challenges in the Bangsamoro such as poverty, education, health, access to clean water and electricity, job opportunity, agricultural productivity, and access to the capital market. These must be complemented with responsive strategic infrastructure in the region such as ports, road networks, flood control, and logistics and communication facilities.
 
7. Development of Enabling Policy Environment
Develop policy environment on transparency, accountability, prudent fiscal policy, as well as improvement in revenue generation.
 
Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim’s State of the Bangsamoro Address at the opening of the 3rd regular session also highlighted the need to pass laws complementing the Bangsamoro Administrative Code.
 
 

“We must also look into the existing structures in our bureaucracy as founded by the recently passed Bangsamoro Administrative Code. It would be worthwhile to pass legislations not to amend certain provisions of the Admin Code but legislations that would enhance or complement few of its noble provisions.”

 

This post will be revised as updates come in.

Read the bill below:

[pdf-embedder url=’https://rasmitmug.com/resources/Bill108-MP-Rasol-Mitmug-BANGSAMORO-GAZETTE.PDF’]

Health workers get financial assistance and health facilities from BTA

COTABATO CITY — The Bangsamoro Transition Authority, through its Transition Development Impact Fund (TDIF) projects, turned over a mobile clinic and provided financial assistance and health kits to barangay health workers in various provinces in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The office of MP Abdulmuhmin Mujahid provided medical assistance to patients at Amai PakPak Medical Center (APMC), Unayan District Hospital, Balindong District Hospital, and Dr. Serapio Montaner Hospital.

Health employees of Lamitan District Hospital and Sumisip District Hospital also received a total of P750,000 and P250,000, respectively from the office of MP Mujahid.

About 143 barangay health workers in the municipalities of Wao and Amai Manabilang received P6,000 from office of MP Dr. Saffrullah Dipatuan. They also provided cash assistance to indigent patients at Wao District Hospital.

Meanwhile, Atty. Rasol Mitmug turned over a mobile clinic to the Integrated Provincial Health Office of Lanao del Sur, as well as communication and health kits to 250 barangay workers.

“Malaking tulong ito para ating mailapit ang [health care services] sa mga malalayong kumonidad nang sagayon ay hindi na sila mahirapan pang lumuwas dito sa Marawi City para magpagamot o di kaya ay ipasuri ang kanilang kalagayan,” provincial vice governor Mohammad Khalid Adiong said during the turnover ceremony of the mobile clinic.

Said projects of the MPs seek to address issues in the health sector and promote equal access to high-quality health care services in the region. (Publication and Media Relations Division)

*Originally published by the BTA-Publication and Media Relations Division (https://parliament.bangsamoro.gov.ph/latest-news/health-workers-get-financial-assistance-and-health-facilities-from-bta/)

Bill up for effective project monitoring in BARMM

COTABATO CITY – A regional lawmaker has filed a bill before the Bangsamoro Transition Authority – Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BTA-BARMM) calling for a regionwide geotagging system for infrastructure projects for updates and transparency.

Member of Parliament (MP), engineer Don Mustapha Loong, the principal author of BTA Parliament Bill 95, said Friday the proposal intends to ensure efficient government project monitoring in the region.

Geotagging, as described in the proposed bill, is the process of adding metadata and geographical information to the physical or site location of government infrastructure projects and uploading them to a web-based application.

Loong said it also includes the project’s name, location, and cost to allow the public and netizens to check the progress of projects in real-time.

“Geotagging of all infrastructure projects in the BARMM will allow for more effective policy-making, improve the planning and programming of development projects, cumulative location of development projects, and track and monitor the progress of government projects,” he said in his explanatory note.

In 2020, the Department of Public Works and Highways’ national office required mandatory geotagging of all infrastructure projects to improve planning, budgeting, project monitoring, and contract management processes.

Loong, former regional public works secretary of the defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, also explained that geotagging would serve as a transparency mechanism that allows the citizens to monitor developments in their communities, and avoid duplication and overlapping infrastructure projects.

“It will also allow the government agencies to determine which areas are receiving development projects,” he said.

Co-authors of the bill were BTA members engineer Baintan Ampatuan, Amilbahar Mawallil, lawyers Laisa Alamia, Rasol Mitmug, Jr., Suharto Ambolodto, and Rasul Ismael. (PNA)

*Originally published on Philippine News Agency (https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1145050)