BTA holds simultaneous public consultations on Bangsamoro Local Governance Code

MAGUINDANAO In an effort to involve all constituencies in the Bangsamoro region, the Bangsamoro Parliament’s Committee on Local Government held simultaneous public consultations in Maguindanao del Sur and del Norte on the proposed Local Governance Code.

“The consultation will help us in the Parliament enhance the proposed Bangsamoro Local Governance Code,” said Deputy Floor Leader and Committee on Local Government Chairperson Atty. Raissa Jajurie. The consultations were conducted recently in Guindulungan, Maguindanao del Sur, and Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte.

Maguindanao

Hundreds of stakeholders from provincial, municipal, and barangay local government units, non-government organizations, and civil society groups attended the consultations. Among the prevalent concerns raised were the educational attainment and qualifications of running elective officials and anti-political dynasties.

The BLGC introduced qualifications and disqualifications for elective officials based on the proposed code. According to BTA Bill No. 30, all elective officials for the province, city, and municipality must have reached at least college level; the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan chair must have reached junior high school; and

Sangguniang Kabataan members must have reached elementary level.

The code applies to all constituent provinces, cities, municipalities, barangays, and other political subdivisions, as well as officials, offices, or agencies of the Bangsamoro government. It will provide a clear direction between the local government units and the Bangsamoro government. The Bangsamoro Local Government Code was introduced in the first Parliament as the Bangsamoro Local Government Code, but it was later renamed “Bangsamoro Local Governance Code” to highlight citizen participation.

Atty. Jajurie also emphasized the importance of passing the BLGC, which establishes the powers, functions, and responsibilities of the constituent local government units, noting that, unlike other regions in the country, the BARMM has its own government.

The BLGC is among the priority codes the Bangsamoro Transition Authority must enact during the transition period.

Atty. Jajurie said that the Parliament aims to pass the proposed code within the first quarter of the year.

The committee will hold another round of public consultations in Cotabato City, Lanao del Sur, and the BARMM Special Geographic Area in February.

North Cotabato

In North Cotabato’s Midsayap town, Bangsamoro Parliament Floor Leader Atty. Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba remarked that the BARMM Special Geographic Area came into full force following another public consultation for the Bangsamoro Electoral Code.

The consultation was participated by 63 barangays under the BARMM SGA as well as other Members of the Parliament. All clusters are well-represented, according to Floor Leader Atty. Dumama-Alba, with representatives from local and barangay government units, as well as government agencies, non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, and other relevant stakeholders.

Midsayap Mayor Rolando