NEWS




27December
IN PHOTO: Bangsamoro CSO and Cooperative officers pose for a souvenir photo after their consultative meeting for BTA extension at Barangay Tongsibalo, Sibutu, Tawi-Tawi

Tawi-Tawi CSO conducts consultative meeting on BTA Extension

SIBUTU, TAWI-TAWI (December 24, 2020 - Officers of civil society organization (CSO) and cooperatives held consultative meeting in Barangay Tongsibalo Sibutu, Tawi-Tawi, Tuesday, December 22 with an appeal to congress and President Rodrigo R. Duterte to extend the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA to 2025. 
The three-year BTA transition period will expire on May 2022, and a new election shall be held to elect members of a regular BTA.  

Mr. Joseph Saymaaran, a Bangsamoro Community leader and Cooperative President along with women sector in Sibutu Municipality organized the half-day activity attended by officers from east and west Sibutu representing their respective Cooperative Associations. 

Mr. Tirso Tahir from the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute (BLMI) who assisted the Bangsamoro CSO by sharing his knowledge in peace building activities and providing them updates on the crucial issues related to the clamor of Bangsamoro CSOs in the province for the BTA extension. 

The welcome message was delivered by Mr. Madhasan Asih, a CSO Officer who delved on Bangsamoro Narratives and the nature of peace agreement were explained to enlighten the participants on the significance of Bangsamoro legitimate struggle and the Bangsamoro Organic Law. 

“There will be more benefits for all Bangsamoro once the provisions embodied in the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) and in the Bangsamoro Organic Law are satisfactorily implemented by both parties through the Regional Government of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM),” Mr. Asih said.

Mr. Mohammad Sabana Jaji, also a cooperative president delivered the message and explained why the extension of BTA to 2025 is needed and emphasized the pros and cons of the issue.

Mr. Jaji added by reechoing the statement of BARMM Chief Minister Ahod B. Ebrahim regarding BTA extension.     

The open forum was facilitated by Ms. Nurhida Apolinario and wrapped-up the collective stand of the attendees, and joined the call of other Bangsamoro CSO’s in Central Mindanao for BTA extension to 2025.   

In his closing message, Mr. Maldan Abdulatip said, that there were also from the Sama Tribe of Tawi-Tawi who have participated in the Bangsamoro struggle since the early part of the revolution. 

He encouraged his fellow Bangsa-Sama to sustain the gains of peace agreement and value the sacrifices of the Bangsamoro leaders both the living, and the martyred.