COTABATO CITY – A group of legislators in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has pushed for the creation of the Bangsamoro Printing Office (BPO) to handle the reproduction of volumes of forms and files daily.
On Wednesday, Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) members Baintan Ampatuan, Amilbahar Mawallil, Laisa Alamia, Suharto Ambolodto, Don Mustapha Loong, Rasol Mitmug, and Rasul Ismael filed the bill to establish an effective government printing and publication system that would meet the demands of the regional government.
“The Bangsamoro government produces a heavy volume of forms, files, and requirements on a daily basis. Hundreds, if not thousands, of papers, are printed each day,” the authors wrote on the bill’s explanatory note.
They said the BPO, once created, will serve as the printing arm of the BARMM tasked with producing accountable forms and ensuring the high-quality requirements from the regional government’s offices.
Aside from the printing of forms and other materials, the BPO may also accept other Bangsamoro printing jobs, including government publications.
“Direct printing by the BPO will save funds of the Bangsamoro government, as the necessary materials and printing will be procured and done by the office itself, thus saving extra costs,” the authors added.
The bill authors said the BPO will operate under the supervision of the office of BARMM Chief Minister Ahod “Murad” Ebrahim, as its main office will be established in this city, while satellite offices can be set up around the region to expedite printing requests.
Functions of the BPO include the provision of all printing requirements of the government agencies and accept other government printing jobs, including publications and information materials; and recommend the acquisition of, in any lawful manner, such personal or real property, or any interest or charges therewith.
The authors added the BPO may also discharge other functions deemed necessary such as the printing, binding, and distribution of all standard and accountable forms of BARMM; printing of books and other educational materials by the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education– BARMM; and also the production of public documents such as the Bangsamoro Gazette, Bangsamoro Appropriations Act, and other development information materials of the regional government.
Sources of funds for the agency’s operation may be obtained from revenues, grants, donations, disposal of assets, sale of obsolete forms and records, and interest earned on investments, the authors said. (PNA)
