Bangsamoro gov't to reserve 30% of entry-level posts for MILF, MNLF mujahideen

COTABATO CITY — Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua has directed ministries and offices of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to fill 30 percent of their entry-level positions with mujahideen and mujahidat of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

Minister of Labor and Employment Kitem Kadatuan Jr. said Macacua issued the directive at a recent meeting with officials of the new BARMM government, which took office on Oct. 30.

The directive implements Article 305 of the Bangsamoro Civil Service Code. That provision sets aside 30 percent of entry-level plantilla positions, at Salary Grade (SG) 9 and below, for mujahideen and mujahidat, the fronts' male and female combatants.

Under the code, mujahideen and mujahidat may be given temporary appointments to these positions even when civil service–eligible applicants are available.

Monthly starting pay for SG 1 to SG 9 ranges from P14,061 to P23,226, before taxes and other deductions.

Kadatuan said the policy is the regional government's way of recognizing those who sacrificed life and limb for the Bangsamoro cause.

He said many former combatants did not finish college but could qualify for the entry-level positions.

Applicants for higher positions must still meet the regular qualification standards and go through the normal appointment process, he said.

Kadatuan added that job order workers hired during the transition period will be allowed to finish their contracts. He said they are not assured of rehiring, as ministry officials will review each case against their offices' staffing needs.