The Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) through the Office of the Chief Minister, with support from the European Union (EU) – funded “Support to Bangsamoro Transition” (SUBATRA) Programme successfully conducted the “Workshop on the Legislative Agenda of the Cabinet” held at the Dusit Thani Davao Hotel in Davao City from 07-09 May 2021.
Photo © Norolhaya Mamariong | SUBATRA
Engr. Mohajirin T. Ali, Director General of the Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA) and SUBATRA Project Director, stated that “the priority legislative agenda of the Cabinet finds basis in the 1st Bangsamoro Development Plan (BDP 2020-2022). I have emphasized the importance of this activity to the SUBATRA Team knowing full well that this will lead us closer to realizing the vision of a Bangsamoro Region that is united, self- governing, peaceful, morally upright and progressive.” He further explained the Bangsamoro Development Framework and focused on the salient points of the BDP.
Photo ©Norolhaya Mamariong | SUBATRA
Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Asnin K. Pendatun, in his welcome remarks, emphasized that with the approval of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), the Office of the Chief of Staff was tasked to facilitate the formulation of the legislative agenda to elucidate major programs and projects of the BARMM ministries, agencies and offices consistent with the 1st Bangsamoro Development Plan, 2020-2022. He also informed the participants that the output of the workshop shall be presented to the Cabinet Ministers and to Members of Parliament during the Opening of the Regular Session on June 8, 2021.
“We sincerely hope and pray that we give our full cooperation with utmost passion, integrity, and sincerity”, he said.
Photo ©Norolhaya Mamariong | SUBATRA
Atty. Lanang Ali, Jr., Majority Floor Leader of the BTA Parliament, emphasized the uniqueness of the parliamentary form of government from that of the presidential form of government, particularly on the stages of legislation in parliament. He said that there is a need to understand fully well how these two forms of government are different.
Photo ©Norolhaya Mamariong | SUBATRA
Mr. Bernard Jolly, Governance Expert and Team Leader of the SUBATRA Programme, expressed the full support of the SUBATRA team; and acknowledged that the presence of the officials from the OCM, the line ministries and the BTA Parliament clearly demonstrates their commitment to making the activity a successful one.
He mentioned that although many achievements have already been undertaken like the enactment of Civil Service Code, Administrative and Education Code; there are still other Codes that still need to be done like the Local Government Code, Electoral, IP Code, and the consequent Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRRs). With this, he said that SUBATRA would be very pleased to provide support on legal policy making, capacity building of legal actors, legal networks, and technical assistance for drafting key goals, laws and regulations.
Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim, stressed that, as a parliamentary form of government, they are blessed to have a system that manifests needs that collectively define the future they all aspire for the Bangsamoro. He further emphasized that as they continue to traverse the period of transition, he wants to ensure that their efforts and resources in the parliament are geared towards the same direction.
Photo ©Norolhaya Mamariong | SUBATRA
“I understand that you have equally important matters in your respective ministries, agencies, and offices but is safe to say that the next three days (of the workshop) is significant in our share to work for crafting a very unique bureaucracy that speaks of lasting peace and sustainable development”, he said.
Photo ©Norolhaya Mamariong | SUBATRA
Reginald Pastrana, SUBATRA Parliament Key Expert, also served as resource person for the workshop which focused on Crafting of the Legislative Agenda of the Cabinet in a Parliamentary Form of Government. Specific sessions were held on analyzing the legislative requirements in the Bangsamoro Transition, determining priority legislation for 2021-2022 and a workshop on the Legislative Agenda of the Cabinet.
9 May 2021
Criselle Capistrano, Deputy Project Manager and Communications Senior Officer
Email | info@subatra.org
