July 1, 2012 News: The newly appointed set officers of the MILF’s Bangsamoro Leadership and Management (BLMI) will start to discharge their official duties and functions starting today and up to two years in service.

This was learned from Mr. Samin Unti, the new administrative officer of the BLMI, during an interview with Luwaran early today.

The BLMI, which is a product of the GPH-MILF peace negotiation, is designed to train and capacitate future leaders of the Bangsamoro people, in preparation for the establishment of the new political entity in place of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Replacing Dr. Tomanda Antok, as BLMI as executive officer since 2006, was Mahmod Ahmad, who is both educated in Arabic and English.

Antok’s stint with the BLMI is marked with excellence and professionalism.

He was only replaced, according to a source in the MILF peace panel, which acts as oversight committee, because he is currently assistant chancellor of the Mindanao State University (MSU)-Datu Odin Sinsuat Branch in Maguindanao province.

“The job of an executive director in the BLMI,” the source added, “requires full time which Antok physically cannot do, because as MSU assistant chancellor, his hands are also full to the hilt.”

The other members of the nine-man Steering Committee are Sammy Alabat (Cotabato City, Mike Abdula (Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao), Cocoy Paradan (Davao Oriental), Hisham Nando (Buluan, Maguindanao), Akmad Mama (Palembang, Sultan Kudarat), Ishak Macapoli (Lanao del Sur), Abu Majid (Basilan), and Tirso S. Tahir (Zamboanga City-Tawi-Tawi).

Aside from the executive director, administrative officer, and other members of the Steering Committee, also appointed for two-years were the finance officer, security guard-janitor, and the three-man treasury unit.

Some of the policy guidelines for the BLMI are as follows:

1.      All members of the BLMI serve the institution on volunteer basis.

2.      The steering committee is a collegial body and conducts its internal affairs on the basis of consultation (shura) and collectivism.

3.      The Steering Committee is responsible to the Oversight Committee, which in turn is responsible to the Board of Directors. Important or major decision by a lower organ will not be valid and binding without the approval of the higher organ.

4.      Funds shall be deposited to the official bank account of the BLMI. No other bank account/s shall be opened or allowed except upon the expressed approval of the BLMI’s Oversight Committee or the Board of Directors. Flow of funds, particularly disbursement or reimbursement,  shall follow official standard and procedure;