BANGSAMORO GOVERNMENT CENTER, COTABATO CITY (5 JULY 2021) — The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) commended the Support to Bangsamoro Transition (SUBATRA) for helping to enhance the capacity of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) to craft key legislation, as well as improve governance systems and processes in the region in support to its transition process.

A four-day workshop spearheaded by the SUBATRA began on Monday, July 5, which aims to develop a common-legislative executive agenda and strategic plan for the BTA.

In a videotaped message, Presidential Peace Adviser, Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., urged Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s (BARMM) Members of Parliament to maximize the insights they will gain from the planning session to further enhance their legislative-making skills.

“It is our hope that through this seminar-workshop, you can further hone your capacities to institute consultative process reform across the three main functions of the parliament, which include representation, legislation or lawmaking, and oversight in governance,” Galvez said.

The Members of the Parliament will craft a common legislative-executive agenda during the first two days of the event, and formulate a strategic plan for the Parliament on the last two days, the BTA announced in a press release.

According to BARMM Deputy Speaker and SUBATRA Focal Person, Atty. Omar Yasser Sema, the activity would enable the Parliament to craft priority codes such as the Bangsamoro Electoral Code, and the Bangsamoro Local Government Code.

“Through strategic planning, the Parliament can map out and plan for the successful crafting of the said codes,” Sema said.

Meanwhile, BARMM Chief Minister Al Haj Murad Ebrahim expressed the SUBATRA’s efforts in supporting the ongoing transition of the Bangsamoro government.

According to him, Bangsamoro’s Parliamentary system of government promotes inclusivity and encourages participation of all sectors within the region.

“It is along these lines where this workshop is of high importance to determine our shared steps ahead and fulfil our meaningful journey as a transition authority,” Ebrahim said.

On June 15, 2021, BARMM Chief Minister Al Haj Murad Ebrahim highlighted the Government of the Day’s legislative agenda during the opening of the third regular session of the BTA Parliament which includes completion of the remaining codes on local government, electoral, and revenue, as well as Indigenous Peoples (IPs), children, and labor.

The SUBATRA Programme, which will be implemented until July 2025, seeks to contribute to a peaceful, cohesive, secure and inclusive Bangsamoro.

It was established  to enhance the capacities on democratic governance of the Bangsamorro Government, particularly its executive branch, Parliament, and justice system mechanisms towards the smooth transition of the BARMM.

The programme is supported by the European Union (EU) and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), which contributed EUR 26 million to the initiative.

The SUBATRA Programme will be under the oversight of the Project Steering Committee (PSC), co-chaired by OPAPP Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., and Chief Minister Ahod B. Ebrahim.

The PSC is composed of the speaker of the Bangsamoro Parliament, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) secretary, director-general of the Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority, chair of the Bangsamoro Women’s Commission, and representatives from EU and AECID.

“The Duterte administration extends its deepest gratitude to the European Union and the AECID Spanish Cooperation for the invaluable assistance you have provided to enhance the legislative capacity of the BTA,” Galvez said.

“It is our hope that through the SUBATRA, the BARMM and the national government would be able to realize its vision of building a better and brighter future for our Moro brothers and sisters,” he added. ###

[Photo courtesy of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority Parliament]