The Plenary: 11 Bills, 19 Resolutions
COTABATO CITY -- We have prepared a wrap-up of what resolutions and bills were tackled on the floor these past two weeks to further relay with transparency to the public the measures that were tackled by the Bangsamoro Parliament.
Proposed Resolution No. 106, “A resolution urging the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Office of the Chief Minister, and the Office of the Speaker to create appropriate mechanisms to eliminate overlapping of powers, functions, and responsibilities between NCIP and the Bangsamoro government thru the Ministry on Indigenous Peoples Affairs (MIPA),” was referred to the Committee on Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs.
Proposed Resolution No. 113, “A resolution respectfully requesting the Interim Chief Minister to activate the InterGovernmental Relations mechanism, for it to discuss and explore with the representatives of His Excellency President Rodrigo R. Duterte, the possible utilization of some military land reservations located within the Bangsamoro territory for purposes of socio-economic, charitable, or for other useful purposes,” was referred to the Committee on Rules.
Proposed Resolutions No. 114 and No. 115 were treated as simple resolutions and were moved as part of the business of the day, and they are:
Proposed Resolution No. 114
“A resolution expressing the strong sense of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority to strengthen the 2020 Fiscal Framework of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao through equitable and inclusive allocation in all Bangsamoro sub-regions,” underwent a period of interpellation. It was later adopted on October 24’s session. Proposed Resolution No. 115
“A resolution requesting the Office of the Chief Minister to include the detailed separation plan for the ARMM employees during the Chief Ministers Hour,” was later withdrawn by Minority Floor Leader MP Laisa Alamia on October 18.
Proposed Resolution No. 116, “A resolution calling for the creation of the Bangsamoro Sports Commission by the
Bangsamoro parliament,” was also referred to the Committee on Rules..
Bills 19 and 20 both held their 1st reading on October 16, and they are as follows:
Bill No. 19 is “An act declaring October 29 of every year as Indigenous Peoples Day. Declaring such day as non-working holiday within the Bangsamoro Autonomous
Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and appropriating funds thereof.”
Bill No. 20 is “An act creating the Bureau of Halal Accreditation and Regulation, appropriating funds thereof.”
As for the bills which were on their 2nd stages, Bill No. 9’s reading, “An act creating the Bangsamoro Regional Commission on Population Management and Development, appropriating funds therefor, and for other purposes,” was suspended due to the absence of its authors.
For the plenary’s business of the day, Resolution No. 110’s period of interpellation was suspended.
Resolution No. 110, “A resolution calling for the creation of a bureau that will focus on promoting the welfare and addressing the needs, issues, and concerns of the orphans and widows who are victims of war and violence,” was later adopted on October 18.
Resolution No. 111, “A resolution urging the Ministry of Health to prioritize and intensify programs on Polio prevention following the outbreak in the province of Lanao del Sur,” was adopted.
On October 17, the session started discussing Resolutions No. 117, “A resolution calling for the Bangsamoro Transition Authority’s sessions to finish or go into recess a reasonable time before Jummah prayers on Fridays,” and No. 118, “a resolution calling for the Bangsamoro government to acquire either by cession of the National government or by purchase of shares of the Al-Amanah Islamic Investment Bank appropriating funds therefore from its block grant,” were both treated as simple resolutions and were moved as part of the business of the day.
Resolution No. 117 was later adopted on October 18,
while Resolution No. 118, was referred to the Committee on Finance, Budget, and Management on October 17. Resolution No. 119, “Resolution urging the Ministry of Health to include in their primary program the establishment of the mobile/bus hospital in every province of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) including the sixty-three (63) barangays in North Cotabato,” was referred to Committee on Health while Resolution No. 120, “A resolution encouraging all banks and financial institutions with branches operating within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to open Islamic banking windows in their respective branches,” was referred to Committee on Finance, Budget and Management. Bills No. 21 and 22 were referred to their appropriate committees after the first reading on October 17. Bill No. 21 is “An act creating the Barter Trade Center in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and providing organization setup defining its power and functions and appropriating funds thereof.” Bill No. 22 is “An act mandating all licensed local and foreign recruitment agencies operating within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to register for accreditation at the Ministry of Labor and Employment (MOLE). For Bill No. 16, “An act establishing the Bangsamoro Economic and Development Council, defining its powers and functions, appropriating funds therefor, and for other purposes,” MP Baintan Adil-Ampatuan delivered her sponsorship speech. Both MP Adil-Ampatuan and Laisa Masuhud-Alamia answered the queries of their fellow members of the parliament during the period of interpellation. On October 18, the period of interpellation of Bill No. 16 continued. Its period of interpellation closed on October 24. The measure was referred to the Committee on Rules. On October 23, Resolution No. 79 was referred to Committee on Local Government. Resolution No. 79 is, “A resolution urging the Bangsamoro government to strengthen the disaster management capacity of all local government units (LGUs) in the Bangsamoro.” Meanwhile, Resolution No. 121, “A resolution calling on the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to look into the plight of distressed Overseas Filipino Workers from BARMM, to know their conditions, and to assist them in obtaining all the help and benefits they ought to receive from the National government,” was treated as a simple resolution and was moved to be part of the business of the day. Resolution No. 122, “A resolution appealing to Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) national office to review and assess the implementation of the Memorandum Circular No. 121-2019 reflecting environmental care and awareness by sparing the old trees from road clearing operations nationwide,” was referred to the Committee on Local Government, and Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy. Resolution No. 139, “A resolution expressing sincerest and deepest condolences to the family of the late and former Senate President Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel, Jr.” was treated as a simple resolution and became part of the business of the day. It was adopted on the same day. Parliament Bill No. 23, “An act protecting the rights of Internally Displaced Persons of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, providing support therefor, and for other purposes,” underwent its first reading. Resolution No. 114, “A resolution expressing the strong sense of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority to strengthen the 2020 Fiscal Framework of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao through equitable and inclusive allocation in all Bangsamoro sub-regions,” was adopted on October 24. During the last day of this month’s sessions on October 25, three separate resolutions intended for the welfare of the mujahideens were discussed in the plenary: Resolution No. 123 “A resolution calling for the creation and/or constitution of a special committee to compile the names of Bangsamoro fighters (mujahideens) who sacrificed their lives in effectuating Bangsamoro’s right to selfdetermination so that proper acknowledgement/recognition be accorded to them and their family.” Resolution No. 126 “A resolution urgently requesting the Interim Chief Minister Al Haj Murad Ebrahim through the Ministry of Finance and Budget and Management (MFBM), MP Eduard U. Guerra, to allocate funds for emergency financial assistance to MILF and MNLF combatants and their families pending the releases and implementation of the special development and rehabilitation program as provided for in the organic law.” Resolution No. 127 “A resolution honoring the Bangsamoro fallen soldiers (shuhada) and granting monetary award to their survivors.” It was agreed by the plenary to consolidate the three, and referred to the Committee on Rules, and Committee on Finance, and Budget, and Management. Five (5) Cabinet bills were also presented on the floor which were all referred to the Committee on Rules: Cabinet Bill No. 26, “An act creating the Attorney General’s Office, to provide for its functions and powers, and for related purposes.” Cabinet Bill No. 27, “An act promoting the development of sports in the Bangsamoro autonomous region, establishing the Bangsamoro Sports Commission, providing funds therefor and for other purposes.” Cabinet Bill No. 28, “An act creating and establishing the Bangsamoro Youth Commission, defining its powers, functions, and responsibilities, appropriating funds therefor, and for other purposes. Cabinet Bill No. 29, “An act creating the Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and appropriating funds therefor.” Cabinet Bill No. 30, “An act establishing the Bangsamoro Economic and Development Council, defining its powers, functions, and responsibilities, appropriating funds therefor, and for other purposes.” Meanwhile, Bill No. 22, which held its first reading on October 17, was referred to Committee on Labor and Employment following its second reading on October 25. The parliament will convene to resume its first regular session on November 20. (MP Amir Mawallil posted this on his FB page on 26 October 2019. MindaNews was granted permission to publish this).