COTABATO CITY — The Office of Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Member of Parliament (MP) Atty. Maisara Damdamun-Latiph officially released on Thursday, December 31, 2020 its fourth quarter newsletter for 2020 highlighting ‘education’ and ‘resilience’ of Bangsamoro amidst the ongoing pandemic.
MP Latiph emphasized in her editorial that year 2020 has been a challenging yet fulfilling year with the launching of their legacy education program, “Siyap Ko Kapaganad” which means ‘care for education’.
“This program proved that together with teachers and educational leaders from the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE), we can make a difference. Educational videos and modules on K-12 Curriculum as well as Arabic Language and Islamic Values Education (ALIVE) were, for the first time, systematically available in Facebook and in a website (www.kapaganad.com) to support students and teachers continue their learning and teaching even during this Covid-19 pandemic,” MP Latiph said.
MP Latiph stressed that in fulfilment of their mandate, it became incumbent upon her to remain consistent in substantially participating in the passage of the Bangsamoro Administrative Code (BAA No. 13), thru adoption of several amendments in strengthening social enterprise, creation of Bureau of Special Education, establishment of Orphanage Institutions, creation of Office of Bangsamoro Communities Outside BARMM, celebrating January 21 of every year as Bangsamoro Foundation Day, Right of Members of Parliament to initiate legislation, among others.
“Succeeding legislations on Bangsamoro Civil Service Code and Bangsamoro Education Code already saw our full participation both in proposed amendments as well as being panel members to listen to various position and ideas on the proposed legislations. In both Committee work and plenary participation, I was active and made constructive inputs to 2021 Bangsamoro Budget Expenditure Program (2021 BEP),” she further said.
The lady Member of Parliament added that guided by her vision of providing excellent service for the vulnerable sectors, they managed to organize several webinars on teacher resiliency, good parenting; celebrated the (18) days campaigned on ending violence against women and girls; recognized outstanding women in Lanao del Sur; encouraged gardening as answer to food security; promoted culture in our first short film festival with young Moro directors and artists; voiced out the Morits and Ustadz’ concerns in our resolutions, as well as the state of education, health and social services during pandemic.
As a response to the call of the education sector, MP Latiph shared they provided assistance to schools without MOOEs by granting their request for printers, inks and bond-papers, as well as the students with tablet for online learning.
In addition, they also continued the Siyap for Vulnerable Covid-19 in aid of legislation program to those affected by Typhoon Ulysses residing in areas outside BARMM particularly in Marikina, Rizal, Nueva Ecija and Cagayan Valley Province.
“It is also fulfilling thus making me proud that our office shared its expertise as resource person and a subject matter expert in various lectures, seminars, and conferences where Bangsamoro awareness is needed,” MP Latiph said.
Furthermore, MP Latiph expressed optimism when they were afforded the opportunity to learn from the best on parliamentary procedures and processes by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy as well as Ateneo School of Government where both the MP and staff simultaneously honed their parliamentary skills.
“These and so many more happened in 2020. Thank you very much for the support and faith in our office, without which we could not have made it. We look forward to the year 2021 with renewed commitment and hope that things will be better for all of us and that no one will be left behind, In Shaa Allah,” she said.
Meanwhile, articles inside the newsletter included legislative updates, features such as “Growing Seeds of Hope”, “School’s Best Practices in Times of COVID-19”, “Resiliency of Teachers”, “Tablet for APdeT Alumni”, “Dealing with the Normal Education”, “Siyap Ko Kapaganad Program”, “Education, My Only Hope”, “Shaping Children’s New Normal Together”, “End VAW Campaign Program, “IDP’s Bangsamoro Sagip Kabuhayan” and many more.
For more details, a copy of the fourth quarter issue of “Empowering Voices” can be downloaded in the ‘publication’ section of the BTA Parliament’s official website, http://alagaw.dict.gov.ph/~s2govbtaph. (GALao, Publication and Media Relations Division, BTA Parliament)