DAVAO CITY — The Bangsamoro region is now consulting the stakeholders on the proposed local governance code with the Bangsamoro Parliament’s Committee on Local Government conducting public consultations and recently held a simultaneous activity in Maguindanao del Sur and del Norte.
In a statement the information office revealed that Deputy Floor Leader and Committee on Local Government Chair Atty. Raissa Jajurie explained that the consultation will help the members of the Parliament enhance the proposed code.
On January 20, Jajurie said the consultations conducted in Guindulungan, Maguindanao del Sur, and Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte.
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.
The first leg of public consultations for the BLGC was held in the region’s island provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi in December last year.- with report from BIO
