Bangsamoro parliament opens 4th session

By: Sheila Mae De La Cruz - 2 years ago

Bangsamoro Wali Sheikh Khalifa Usman Nando together with BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim led the beating of the agong, signaling the opening of the fourth regular session of the interim Bangsamoro parliament on Tuesday. SHEILA MAE DE LA CRUZ

COTABATO CITY — The interim Bangsamoro parliament formally opened its fourth regular session on Tuesday with leaders vowing to finish legislating the four remaining priority codes mandated in the Bangsamoro Organic Law, the region’s charter.

With 53 members of Parliament present and 17 others participating via teleconference, Bangsamoro Wali Sheikh Khalifa Usman Nando led the beating of the agong at exactly 2:14 p.m., signaling the opening of the fourth regular session.

The Bangsamoro Local Governance Code, Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Code, Electoral Code, and Revenue Code were the remaining priority legislation that the parliament had to work on.

“We shall prioritize the passage of the remaining priority codes and other important legislation reflected in the legislative agenda,” Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Chief Minister Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim said in his address during the session’s ceremonial opening.

Ebrahim also said that the government of the day enhanced its 12-point priority agenda for 2023–2025, which includes stronger BARMM bureaucracy; digital infrastructure and e-governance; revenue generation and economic comparative advantage; agri-fishery productivity and food security; investment in transportation, communication, and other strategic infrastructure; social protection and universal healthcare; disaster resilience and climate-change adaptation; quality and holistic education; support to Marawi rehabilitation; peace, justice, and security; and Bangsamoro culture, heritage, and diversity.

“This 12-point priority agenda shall shape the budget, legislation, programs, and policies of our region as we move to the next chapter of the transition period,” Ebrahim added.

“Last year, we inaugurated (the) Bangsamoro Development Plan. Let us keep our eye on the ball, as they say, and be reminded of the objectives, we have set for ourselves and for our people,” Speaker Pangalian Balindong said.

Aside from the priority codes, Majority Leader Lanang Ali Jr. noted that the parliament will pass measures on securing the welfare and development of the people, promoting labor and employment, and ensuring peace and security.

The Parliament is also eyeing to pass the law creating the Bangsamoro Sustainable Development Board and the proposed Ranao Development Act this month.

During the third regular session, 120 bills and 286 resolutions were filed in the plenary. Of this number, six bills and 92 resolutions were approved.