Bangsamoro Civil Society Engagement Act of 2025
This bill, known as the "Bangsamoro Civil Society Engagement Act of 2025," aims to institutionalize the involvement of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the governance of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The Bangsamoro Government recognizes CSOs as crucial partners in governance, peacebuilding, policy advocacy, and social development within BARMM.
Key provisions of the bill include:
- Declaration of Policy: The bill declares that the Bangsamoro Government recognizes CSOs as active partners in governance, peacebuilding, and development, and seeks to institutionalize mechanisms for their participation in decision-making processes, ensuring transparency, accountability, and inclusivity.
Creation of Bangsamoro CSO Coordinating Office (BCCO): A dedicated office will be established under the Office of the Chief Minister to facilitate and regulate CSO participation in governance. The BCCO will serve as a liaison between CSOs and the Bangsamoro Government, maintain a registry of accredited CSOs, facilitate regular consultations, provide technical assistance and capacity-building, and monitor the impact of CSO participation. The BCCO will be composed of an Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director, and heads for various divisions including Policy and Advocacy, Programs and Partnerships, and Monitoring and Evaluation, along with a Legal Officer, Finance and Administrative Officer, Communications and Public Affairs Officer, Community Liaison Officers, and support staff.
- CSO Representation: Accredited CSOs will be granted representation in BARMM decision-making bodies such as the Bangsamoro Economic Development Council (BEDC), Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) Advisory Board, and Bangsamoro Human Rights Commission (BHRC) Advisory Group. Representatives will be chosen through a democratic process among accredited CSOs.
- Mandatory Consultations: All Bangsamoro ministries and agencies will be required to conduct bi-annual consultations with accredited CSOs to ensure participatory decision-making, with the BCCO overseeing and documenting these consultations.
- Accreditation: The BCCO will establish clear guidelines for CSO accreditation to ensure legitimacy and accountability. Only accredited CSOs will be eligible for representation in decision-making bodies, government-CSO funding partnerships, and policy advocacy platforms.
- Funding: The Bangsamoro Government will allocate an annual budget to support CSO engagement programs, and the Ministry of Finance, Budget, and Management (MFBM) will ensure timely disbursement of funds to accredited CSOs for governance-related projects.
Monitoring and Accountability: A CSO Oversight Committee will be created by the Bangsamoro Parliament to assess the implementation of the Act. The BCCO will also submit an annual report to the Parliament detailing CSO participation, challenges, recommendations, and financial accountability.
Implementation and Penalties: The Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) will formulate implementing rules and regulations (IRR) within sixty days of the Act's effectivity, with CSO consultation. Government officials or agencies failing to implement the Act without valid justification will face administrative sanctions. Accredited CSOs found guilty of misuse of government resources, fraudulent activities, or misrepresentation will have their accreditation revoked and may face legal consequences.
The bill is currently in the process of consultations, amendments, and revisions.
