COTABATO CITY. — The Bangsamoro autonomous region continues its stride toward a stronger and stable regional government, one year after it asked Malacanang for another transition period to complete its mandate.
The Bangsamoro Transition Authority, on whose shoulder rests the biggest part of the responsibility to consolidate the gains of the autonomous region, has crafted important laws in the first year of its second transition period.
These measures include the Bangsamoro Electoral Code (BAA No. 35), Seat of Government Act (BAA No. 37), Bangsamoro Holidays Act (BAA No.39), SGA BAA 38-45 or the Law creating eight new towns in the BARMM Special Geographic Area (SGA) and the Bangsamoro Science High School (BSHS) System Act of 2023.
With the electoral code enacted, only the Revenue Code and the Local Government Code have remained out of the six priority codes and other resolutions outlined by Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim.
In her report for Year 1 of the second transition period, Member of Parliament Sha Elijah B. Dumama-Alba, the Parliament floor leader, authored nine and co-authored five bills in the first stage, authored 20 bills in the second stage, authored eight bills in the third and final stages, authored 32 and co-authored 25 approved resolutions, authored nine and co-authored 11 proposed resolutions.
She reported having facilitated the enacted laws and oversaw the drafting of the guidelines of all certifying and accrediting Cabinet ministries, offices, and agencies.
Other important measures and proposals were also filed at the BTA to ensure the BARMM has kept itself aligned with national and global movements to protect and nurture the environment and contain the bad impact of climate change.
These include the climate-change-related bills by MP Mary Ann Arnado on the efficient use of paper, the ban on single-use plastics and non-biodegradable materials as campaign paraphernalia, demonstration and training on the production of water hyacinth into charcoal briquettes.
There were also proposals related to appeals for amnesty of Moro combatants, creating an amnesty commission, recognizing and compensating former combatants.
Over the same period, the autonomous government showed the promising prospect of self-rule for its mostly Moro constituents, from mentoring community associations and cooperatives and supporting important economic sectors like the fisherfolk and farmers, to creating a conducive atmosphere for investment and demonstrating its capability for transparency and decency in governance.
In his State of the Nation Address, President Marcos Jr. lauded the autonomous region for the programs it had taken.
“It will be self-governing, it will be progressive, and it will be effective. But this was only made possible because of the cooperation of all key groups. We talked to the local governments, the royal families, the MNLF and the MILF were all consulted and represented in this transition phase,” Marcos said, adding the international community has also supported the “smooth transition.”
