MARAWI CITY – “The Bangsamoro Local Governance Code will give a clear direction between local government units and the Bangsamoro government,” said Atty. Jose Lorena, as the Bangsamoro Parliament, started the first public consultation with local officials of Lanao del Sur.

The two-day public consultation, held here at the Provincial Capitol, is the first in a series that will gather comments, position papers, and other legislative inputs from local government units, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders across the region.

One of the salient features of the proposed Parliament Bill No. 58, also known as the Bangsamoro Local Governance Code of 2020, according to MP Lorena, is that it strengthens the supervision power of the Bangsamoro government through the Ministry of Interior and Local Government (MILG). He added that this would prevent MILG and DILG from having double supervision.

He also explained that in crafting the code, the term ‘government’ had been replaced with ‘governance’ as it emphasizes citizen participation.

“Further, governance means inclusivity rather than exclusivity, association rather than isolation, and accommodation rather than marginalization,” he added.

Through the proposed BLGC, the Bangsamoro Government shall provide a more responsive and accountable local government structure where LGUs shall be given more powers, authority, responsibilities, and resources gradually and systematically.

Aside from the administrative code, Atty. Paisalin Tago said the local governance code is the most important legislation for the Bangsamoro Parliament to approve since it establishes the relationship between local government units and the Bangsamoro government.

“This is very good because we are given a chance to craft our own Local Government Code,” said Dr. Lampa Pandi, municipal administrator and former mayor of Poona Bayabao.

“The local government of Amai Manabilang is one with the Bangsamoro government in the plight towards a more progressive, inclusive, and responsive government for the Bangsamoro people,” representative of the municipality of Amai Manabilang said as he read the position paper of the town. He also outlined some provisions of the proposed code that they believe need “more thorough analysis.”

More than two years since the establishment of the BARMM, Speaker Atty. Pangalian Balindong said the BTA accomplished most of its tasks, including the passage of three priority codes mandated by the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).

During the transition period, the BTA is mandated under the BOL to enact priority legislative measures. The priority legislation are administrative code, revenue code, electoral code, local government code, education code, civil service code, and Indigenous Peoples’ code.

Lanao del Sur Vice-Governor Mohammad Khalid Adiong, board members, mayors, and other elected officials from the first congressional district of the province participated in the first leg of consultation.

Officials from the second congressional district are also set to attend the second day of consultation.

The consolidated suggestions and recommendations from the consultation participants will serve as guidelines for the final drafting of the code. The deadline for submitting the policy papers for the proposed code is extended until March 25. (LTAIS-Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division)