Senator Robinhood "Robin" C. Padilla described the first Philippine Congress-Bangsamoro Parliament Forum (PCBPF) in Pasay City earlier this week as a key step to ensure the progress of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Padilla said he and other participants at the forum held early this week tackled possible legislation to enable the Bangsamoro Government to ensure not only enough funds for its programs, but also the proper use of such funds.
"Hindi matatawaran ang halaga ng forum na ito, na nagbigay ng gabay sa amin bilang mambabatas kung paano matulungan ang BARMM (We cannot state enough the importance of this forum, which gave us lawmakers a guide on how to help the BARMM). Limang taon nang matapos ratipikahin ang Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), kaya dapat nang pagtibayin ang sistema ng budget at pananalapi ng BARMM (Five years have passed since the Bangsamoro Organic Law was passed. We must strengthen the budget and financial system of the BARMM)," he said.
Padilla represents Muslims and indigenous peoples in the Senate.
"Bilang boses ng mga kapatid nating Muslim, ang nais natin ay maging matagumpay ang Bangsamoro Organic Law at ang BARMM (As the voice of our Muslim brethren, I wish nothing but the success of the BOL and BARMM)," he added.
Padilla stressed the BARMM must be able to generate its own revenues to fund its development programs and projects, for the benefit of Moros and IPs.
Leading the PCBPF were Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman and BARMM Minister Mohagher Iqbal as co-chairpersons of the Inter-Governmental Relations Body (IGRB).
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez led the discussions.
Aside from Padilla, other participants at the forum included Senator President Pro Temper Loren Legarda; House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe, Representatives Rex Gatchalian, Yasser Alonto Balindong, Joey Salceda, and Maximo Dalog Jr.; and Chief Minister Ahod Ebrajim Al Haj, Speaker Pangalian Balindong, deputy speakers, deputy leaders, and parliament members of BARMM.
The DBM said the forum served as a venue for discussing proposed legislation such as the Bangsamoro Electoral Code, Bangsamoro Local Government Code, Bangsamoro Revenue Code and Bangsamoro law for Indigenous Peoples.