BARMM Parliament’s Social Serv...

At the heart of these efforts are two proposed bills that the committee will hold public hearings for this July. The first, BTA Bill No. 256, proposes a free marriage counseling program to support couples in building healthy relationships and strong family foundations—an initiative seen as vital in addressing domestic issues and promoting mental well-being. The second, BTA Bill No. 354, seeks to establish a center for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), providing much-needed access to specialized care and support for children and families navigating the challenges of autism.

“These are more than just policy proposals,” said MP Nurredha Misuari, who now chairs the committee. “These are lifelines for families who have long been waiting for services that speak to their everyday realities.”

Vice Chair MP Abdulbasit R. Benito, who helps steer the newly reconstituted panel, emphasized the importance of inclusive consultation. “We are listening. We are creating space for experts, families, and communities to be heard as we shape laws that truly make a difference,” he shared.

Beyond the two bills, the committee also approved two timely resolutions:

One urges the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) to submit an updated list of all accredited orphanage centers across the region, including the services they provide. This move is intended to ensure accountability and improve service delivery for vulnerable children.

Another resolution calls for the full implementation of the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act across all BARMM ministries, agencies, offices, and local government units. This ensures that solo parents—many of whom quietly shoulder the burden of raising families alone—receive the support and protection guaranteed by law.

The committee is also being strengthened from within. It has restructured its subcommittees to better focus on key areas of concern:

The Subcommittee on Displacement is now chaired by MP Abdullah Hashim, focusing on the rights and needs of displaced families and communities.

The Subcommittee on Disadvantaged Sectors, under MP Tawakal Midtimbang, is tasked with ensuring that vulnerable groups—including persons with disabilities, the elderly, and indigenous peoples—are prioritized.

The Subcommittee on Socio-economic Programs, led by MP Sittie Fahanie Uy-Oyod, aims to design programs that uplift livelihoods and break the cycle of poverty.

As the Bangsamoro region continues its transition, the Social Services and Development Committee is emerging as a vital force in ensuring that no one is left behind—from children with special needs to solo parents, from displaced families to the poorest of the poor.

“These efforts are about dignity. About justice. And about ensuring that every Bangsamoro has a chance at a better life,” MP Misuari affirmed.