The new set of Bangsamoro Transition Authority officials are urged to fast-track the implementation of the priority code within the three-year transition period as the extension will not go further beyond 2025.
According to Office of the Presidential adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., BTA members should focus their attention on ensuring the completion of the Bangsamoro local government code, electoral code, revenue code and Indigenous Peoples’ code.
“They need to double time because three years is a short period to ensure the quality of legislation that needs to be passed. There will be no more extension beyond 2025 and the elections must proceed as planned,” Galvez said.
He added that the national government and the OPAPRU will be keen on providing necessary assistance should the BTA need it.
“The President understands that he needs to remain true to the spirit of negotiations and agreements between the government and the Moro fronts, he is very decisive to really implement our obligations towards the Bangsamoro,” Galvez said.
Meanwhile, several civil society organizations in Mindanao have expressed full support to the new composition of BTA officials.
The Mindanao Peoples Caucus and the CSO Movement for Moral Governance, in a statement Monday, said the significant increase of women representation in the BTA parliament would call for an equal empowerment.
“This is a highly welcome development that must be constantly nurtured and supported during the transition period,” said the statement.
The previously 13 women BTA officials have increased up to 20 percent to have 16 seats in the parliament.
Meantime, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim has expressed gratitude to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. for the appointment of the 80 new members of the BTA.
“We are deeply grateful to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. for understanding the importance of our work during the extension of the transition period and for believing that we can form a bureaucracy that can address the needs of our people for generations to come,” Ebrahim said.
With Nonoy Lacson