COTABATO CITY — To strengthen the system management and archival records of the Bangsamoro government, several members of the Parliament filed a bill establishing the Office of the Bangsamoro Regional Archives (OBRA).
Don Mustapha Loong, Baintan Ampatuan, Amilbahar Mawallil, Laisa Alamia, Rasol Mitmug Jr., Suharto Ambolodto, Rasul Ismael, and Jose Lorena introduced the proposed BTA Bill No. 120 or “Bangsamoro Regional Archives Act,” in the plenary.
“The maintenance of our archival records is one of the important tasks of the Bangsamoro Regional Government that should be advanced to preserve our collective identity and history,” Loong, one of the principal authors, said.
He said an office must be established to preserve the BARMM’s culture and history, citing the region’s lack of archiving methods.
To address the mentioned limitation, the proposed bill’s objectives, as cited in Section 4, Article 1, are as follows:
- Organize and establish the system of management and administration of the Bangsamoro Government archival records;
- Ensure that full and accurate records of the affairs of the Bangsamoro Regional Government are maintained and preserved;
- Increase public confidence in the integrity of public records keeping and management;
- Ensure accessibility of public records relevant to the promotion and preservation of the Bangsamoro cultural heritage; and
- Support the safe keeping of private records.
“Through these efforts, we could help preserve our history, educate and allow others to understand our diversity and provide tangible reminders of the sacrifices of our martyrs, the ingenuity of our intellectuals, the determination of our leaders, and that our resiliency and unwavering commitment to the dream of governing our territory,” Loong added.
Said agency shall implement policies and provisions that promote the region’s heritage and tradition, particularly the rich cultural heritage of the Sultanates of Sulu, Maguindanao, Kabuntalan, Buayan, the Royale house of Ranao, and the Iranun, as well as the non-Moro indigenous people in the Bangsamoro region. (Publication and Media Relations Division)