TAWI-TAWI – In an effort to honor the bravery and sacrifices of the mujahideen and mujahidat who have played an integral role in the Bangsamoro region’s development and peace-building efforts, the Parliament is aiming to pass a proposed measure in July that will provide financial, medical, and social assistance to these veterans.
The Parliament’s Social Services and Development Committee held simultaneous public consultations in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi earlier today to gather input and feedback from various stakeholders.
CSSD Chairperson Engr. Aida Silongan expressed optimism regarding the passage of BTA Bill No. 44, also known as the Bangsamoro Veteran Mujahideen Act of 2022, next month.
The Parliament, she said, is determined to pass the bill as soon as possible and ensure that all comments, suggestions, and recommendations are taken into consideration, resulting in a bill that is acceptable to all groups involved.
Silongan reaffirmed the commitment of the Parliament to include the standpoints of all sectors, particularly those in the island provinces, and stressed the importance of reflecting their narratives in the bill. She said that beyond financial aid, the recognition of the veterans as frontliners in the Bangsamoro struggle is of greater significance.
“Its enactment will serve as a humble tribute to the men and women who have endured hardships and have placed their lives at the forefront of the Bangsamoro struggle.”
The proposed measure aims to establish a Bangsamoro Veteran Mujahideen Affairs Office (BVMAO), which will provide comprehensive assistance to veteran mujahideen.
According to BTA Bill No. 44, veterans mujahideen are defined as members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) who rendered services in the protracted wars for self-determination between the Bangsamoro people and the national government from 1969 to 2014.
The consultations held in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi provided an opportunity for MILF and MNLF members to voice their sentiments and recommendations regarding the proposed measure.
Some of the key points raised during the consultations included increasing beneficiaries’ allowance, lowering the age requirement, adding benefits for the children of veterans, streamlining beneficiary certification, and establishing sub-offices in every province for easier access to services.
Haydia Jailani, who had been with the MNLF for 36 years in Sulu, expressed her optimism about the privileges that will accompany the enactment of the proposed bill. She highlighted that the financial and livelihood support it will provide will greatly benefit the children and elderly members of the mujahideen.
Abduraddul Abduhajan, a commander in the MNLF who served for over 30 years, noted a significant positive change in the lives of the mujahideen and mujahidat since the transition to the BARMM. Abduhajan believes that if the bill becomes law, it will further enhance the welfare of veterans.
MNLF Tawi-Tawi State Chairman Commander Jihid Hambili voiced support for the measure and recommended establishing two offices in each province to determine deserving veterans and categorize beneficiaries properly. This move would reduce the expenses incurred by the Mujahideen, who currently have to travel to the mainland province to process necessary documents.
In a position paper, MILF Tawi-Tawi Political Committee Chair Almorzi Tabarasa proposed lowering the age requirement for beneficiaries from 55 to 50 years old. He also suggested increasing the monthly cash allowance from P10,000 to P15,000, stating that this would better address the present living conditions of the families of the mujahideen.
He further emphasized the crucial role of local government units in inter-agency coordination for effective implementation.
After the consultations in Tawi-Tawi and Sulu, a similar activity will be held in Basilan later this week.
The committee will then deliberate on the consolidated inputs and proposal papers in June. (LTAIS-Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division)