Column

Social inclusivity

Among us, persons with disabilities (PWDs) are “disproportionately” affected by the “attitudinal, environmental and institutional barriers” caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, according to the United Nations Human Rights (UNHR). Vulnerabilities of PWDs may include pre-existing health conditions, continuous discrimination and social inclusion, lack of economic opportunities, and hampered access to livelihood and income support. These circumstances take a toll on the lives of PWDs, which require appropriate and immediate actions from concerned agencies. Thus, it is necessary to enable and empower PWDs though programs that target their welfare, psychological well-being, and financial situations towards achieving self-sufficiency and independence.

2 BIFF members slain in military op in Maguindanao

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – Two more combatants of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), who were involved in the recent Datu Paglas incident, were killed in continuing military operations in the province, the Army reported Monday, May 17.

Brig. Gen. Roy Galido, commander of the 601st Infantry Brigade, said forces of the Joint Task Force Central (JTFC) neutralized two members of BIFF faction under Mohiden Animbang alias Kagui Karialan in a 15-minute firefight erupted Sunday, May 16, in the village of Mao in Datu Paglas town.

Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, commander of JTFC and 6th Infantry Division, said military operations will persist to thwart the activities of BIFF in their areas of responsibility.  

“While our troops continuously pursue them, I also call on the remaining BIFF extremists to surrender and lay down their arms. A number of former BIFF extremists have already returned to the folds of the law and are now enjoying a peaceful life with their families under the AGILA-HAVEN program of the province of Maguindanao,” he said.

Uy said there were no recorded casualties on the government side while the remains of the two terrorists were turned over to the local government unit.

At the scene, soldiers also found one bandolier with two long magazines for an M16 rifle with 50 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, two backpacks with personal belongings, one broken handguard of an M16 rifle, and assorted food.

A total of 89 BIFF terrorists were neutralized in military operations across Central Mindanao since January this year.

According to the data of 6ID, 41 were killed and 48 surrendered. Also, 56 firearms were recovered from the operations against the said terror group.

On Tuesday, May 11, President Rodrigo Duterte made a visit at the 6ID Headquarters who urged local officials to continue their active role in peacebuilding and addressing terrorism in Mindanao. (DPAO / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Bill resetting BARMM’s election to 2025 hurdles committee level

 Senator Francis Tolentino

COTABATO CITY – Senator Francis Tolentino asked his colleagues in the Senate to support the bill seeking to postpone the first regular elections in the Bangsamoro region from 2022 to 2025. 

“I ask my colleagues in this august chamber to support this measure extending the term of the BTA (Bangsamoro Transition Authority), not the personalities involved, but the institution,” he said.

Senator Tolentino, chair of the committee on local government, presented the committee report of Senate Bill No. 2214 to the plenary for deliberations.

“The committee attempted to craft a bill in the hopes of addressing all legal and political issues in a manner that is most fitting and consistent with the intent of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro and Bangsamoro Organic Law, and always with the welfare of the Bangsamoro people,” he said.

He emphasized that the extension of the transition period “does not in any way condone even the slightest bit less inefficiency in public service,” noting that public servants must continue in building confidence and patriotic hope, particularly to those residing in the Bangsamoro region.

According to Tolentino, the local government committee sees the necessity to extend the BARMM transition term to implement the political and normalization efforts embodied in the CAB.

“This piece of legislation is a testament to our continued efforts to maintain peace and push for inclusive growth in the BARMM region. This is elusive, but it is attainable,” he said.

The global pandemic the country is facing, Senator Tolentino said, has posed significant challenges on the accomplishment of the BTA’s priority programs and projects, as it has for the national government as a whole.

“COVID-19 contributed to the delay, among others, in the execution of the plans of the Bangsamoro government. Responding to the impact of COVID-19 has been a challenge in the BTA and all government leaders,” he added.

Senator Tolentino enumerated the BTA’s accomplishments highlighting the passage of some priority codes and interim government’s response to COVID-19.

Fulfilling its mandate, the BTA successfully enacted some priority legislative measures such as Bangsamoro Administrative Code, Bangsamoro Civil Service Code, and Bangsamoro Education Code.

Meanwhile, despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, the Bangsamoro Government allocated P155 million to the local government units all over the region.

It also constructed COVID-19 isolation centers and provided assistance worth P15 million to Cotabato Regional Medical Center and Amai Pakpak Center for the improvement of testing facilities.

The Bangsamoro Government also allotted P500 million for the purchase of the COVID-19 vaccines.

“Although the BTA has considerably delivered some of its mandates, under the BOL, there is so much work yet to be done,” he added.

The committee is also receiving “overwhelming support” from both government and non-government organizations on extending the transition period until 2025, according to Tolentino.

Supporters include the provincial government of Lanao del Sur, Sangguniang Panlalawigan of the provinces of Maguindanao and Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao municipalities, BARMM league of municipalities of the Philippines Basilan chapter, Lanao del Sur chapter, and Tawi-Tawi chapter, province of Cotabato, the Office of the Provincial Governor of Cotabato, and the sultanates.

The Alliance of Magnanimous Youth Leaders Inc., Basilan Women Initiative Foundation, Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute, Civil Society Organizations Movement for Moral Governance, Federation of the Bangsamoro Civil Society Organizations Inc., Federation of Agrarian Reform Communities in Basilan Province, Kalilintad Peacebuilding Institute Inc., Active Youth Leaders, Mindanao Indigenous People’s Initiative for Research, and other non-government initiatives, also called for the extension. 

“Ngayong araw ay napakahalaga hindi lamang ng BARMM kundi para sa kasaysayan… we hope that this will be acted appropriately by this body,” the senator said as he ended his sponsorship speech on Thursday, May 20. (PUBLICATION AND MEDIA RELATIONS DIVISION, BTA, MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

MP Esmael backs Bangsamoro Cooperative Code drafting

Members of the technical working group of the Office of Member of Parliament Abduladzis M. Esmael, Al-Haj, conduct an informal meeting Monday, May 17, 2021, to discuss the salient features of the proposed Bangsamoro Cooperative Code. (Photo courtesy of Johaina Mohamad) 

 COTABATO CITY – Member of Parliament (MP) Abduladzis M. Esmael, Al-Haj, expressed his full support for the drafting of the Bangsamoro Cooperative Code.

A technical working group (TWG) was formed to expedite the formulation of the bill to institutionalize the said Code, under Esmael’s leadership.

Chief of Staff Khalid S. Esmael hosted an informal meeting on Monday, May 17, with the members of TWG led by Political Affairs Officer VI Allan D. Calido, research and administrative support staff, with the guidance of Engr. Mlang Utto Madal and his associate, Mr. Salman Mohammad.

The said meeting aims to deliberate and predetermine relevant qualities of the proposed code to be operational in the economic landscape of the Bangsamoro region.

“The proposed Bangsamoro Cooperative Code must able to lay out comprehensive provisions that will, by and large, contribute to the development of the cooperatives, principally small-scale enterprises in the region,” Calido stressed.

Engr. Madal also said the proposed cooperative code will provide foundations to strengthen the development of cooperatives and other social enterprises in the region.

“The Bangsamoro Cooperative Code shall endow support in capacitating cooperatives and other social enterprises through relevant training and establishing methodical and easy-to-follow monitoring and evaluation procedures. Registration, on the plus side, will reinforce the press for apposite requirements to reduce the number of days for the approval of qualified applicants,” he said.

One of the salient features of the bill is the opportunity of holding a Riba-free provision, which is aligned with Shariah laws. 

The bill proposes to scrap the concept of increasing and growing capital through interest rates from credited finances and payments. 

The Office of MP Esmael assured the Bangsamoro Cooperative Code will be completed by the end of May 

It will be proceeded with a peer review by concerned government entities and other members of the Parliament. 

Series of consultations with community stakeholders are projected to take place after the final version of the code. (MOHAMADAN ABDULKASAN / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Editorial

Preserving rights as social responsibility

Enshrined on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is the importance of recognizing the rights and freedom of individuals. Declared the document: “Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.” At its core, the Declaration promotes cultural and racial diversity, protection of minority communities, and inclusivity. Hence, it is imperative for each person to treat others with dignity, respect, and openness. 

In the country, movements that forward social protection, gender equality, and diversity are gaining traction as bills such as SOGIE (sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression) equality bill and anti-discrimination bill are being passed in the Congress. The said bills, fortunately, have hurdled the House of Representatives, just waiting for the approval of the Senate. The former is still debated on how to properly address gender equality especially for members of the LGBTQ++ communities given the diverse nature of Filipino citizens when it comes to cultures, religions, and traditions. While the latter is given much focused recently, where lawmakers have crafted a “comprehensive” version of anti-discrimination bill approved in the House on May 20.

Under the new measure, discrimination committed directly or indirectly based on actual or perceived ethnicity, race, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, sex characteristics, language, religious expression or belief, political or other opinions, national or social origin, property, birth, and other status are prohibited. It also prohibits discrimination based on disability, age, nationality, marital and family status, health status, place of residence, economic and social situation, maternity, and pregnancy.

What is important in the bill is its preventive and punitive nature. With these elements, individuals are granted with protection from denial of reasonable accommodation; denial on the right to access of goods and services; denial of right against wrongful portrayal; denial of the freedom of speech, utterances, acts of hatred, and similar acts; denial of the right to health and well-being; denial of the right against profiling; and denial of protection against inflicting stigma, among others. Such comprehensive version provides a compromise between conservative legislators and proponents of the anti-discrimination bill anchored on the SOGIE equality bill. If passed into law, imposed penalties ranging from P50,000 to P500,000 are fined for violators who committed acts of discrimination, harassment, or coercion.

Apart from legislations, the key to sustaining these possible laws depend on the reception and actions of individuals. As a democratic country, systematic discrimination and microaggressions may be eradicated if the preservation of rights is treated as a social responsibility. Education over stigma. Respect over discrimination. Openness over traditions. As one humanity, it’s everyone’s responsibility to treat each other rightly.  

Cotabato priest succumbed to cardiac arrest

 Catholic missionary Eliseo Mercado Jr. of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate congregation.

COTABATO CITY – Another priest here who recently survived Covid-19 died Sunday, May 23, due to cardiac arrest.

Eliseo Mercado Jr., of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, died Sunday afternoon at the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center.

Mercado was confined at CRMC last May 8 and tested positive to SARS-CoV2, the virus that causes Covid-19, but have survived and was ready to go home when he suffered cardiac arrest at past 3 p.m. Sunday.

He is 72 years old and would have celebrated his 73rd birthday on May 29. He was born on 1948.

His colleagues in the Oblate congregation, whose pontifical base is in Rome, said there were signs he would recover but his heart stopped beating Sunday afternoon.

Mercado had a lingering heart condition. He also had a head injury due to an accident about five years ago and nearly died from blood clots around his brain that doctors removed via surgery.

Mercado, a known “pro-Moro priest,” was popular in Mindanao for having supported the crafting of the September 2, 1996 peace pact between the government and the Moro National Liberation Front.

He also supported the peace process between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front that paved the way for the setting up in 2019 of the MILF-led Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Meanwhile, two priests belonging to the Diocesan Clergy of Cotabato, Loreto Sanoy and Rex Bacero, died one after another Friday, May 21, due to COVID-19 complications.

Sanoy was assistant parish priest in Cotabato City’s Rosary Heights Parish.

Bacero was president of the Notre Dame of Salaman College in the seaside Lebak town in Sultan Kudara

They tested positive for coronavirus last week and, subsequently, got hospitalized for breathing problems, fever, and body malaise. (CONTRIBUTOR/MINDANAO EXPOSE’)