COTABATO CITY — A new measure has been proposed by Bangsamoro lawmakers to reinforce the legal framework that ensures settlers’ rights and opportunities in the BARMM.

Parliament Bill No. 309, or the Settlers’ Rights and Welfare Act of 2023, seeks to address existing challenges and misconceptions surrounding settlers’ rights while promoting their protection and welfare.

According to the authors of the bill, the Bangsamoro Organic Law explicitly guarantees the rights of settlers in BARMM, emphasizing principles such as non-discrimination based on identity, religion, and ethnicity.

Despite the legal assurances, proponents of the bill have identified ongoing misconceptions and challenges surrounding the implementation and enforcement of settlers’ rights.

They reiterated that clearer communication and stronger enforcement mechanisms are necessary to ensure that settlers enjoy their full rights without prejudice or discrimination.

Key provisions of the proposed legislation include amendments to strengthen the Office for Settler Communities (OSC) within BARMM.

The bill also highlights constitutional rights such as freedom of choice and religious freedom for all residents within BARMM. It underscores protections against coercion or harassment on religious grounds, ensuring that settlers can practice their beliefs freely and without fear of persecution.

It also seeks to clarify and codify the land rights under existing laws, ensuring that any property owned or occupied by settlers is legally protected from arbitrary seizure or dispossession.

The bill’s authors are MPs Rasul Ismael Amilbahar Mawallil, and Rasol Mitmug Jr.
(LTAIS-Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division)