Lamitan City, Basilan — In a spirited gathering filled with hope, dialogue, and shared aspirations, civil society organization (CSO) leaders from across Basilan came together for a three-day public consultation on the proposed Bangsamoro Civil Society Engagement Act of 2025. Held from July 28 to 30, 2025, at the serene Sitti Khadizia Beach Resort in Lamitan City, Basilan. The event became more than just a consultation—it became a space for empowerment and partnership.
Organized by the Office of Member of Parliament Abdulbasit R. Benito, the consultation welcomed a select group of CSO leaders representing grassroots movements, local NGOs, youth and IP advocates, women’s groups, and faith-based organizations. With pens in hand and voices ready, they contributed recommendations, suggestions, and heartfelt proposals aimed at strengthening the proposed law.
But what resonated most during the sessions was the spirit of unity and optimism. Many participants shared personal stories of struggle, service, and survival in the region—and how legislation like this could finally provide a structured and meaningful role for CSOs within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
For them, the Bangsamoro Civil Society Engagement Act is not just a policy document—it’s a promise. A promise that the voices of those working silently in the margins will now be heard at the heart of regional governance.
“We’ve waited for so long to be officially recognized not just as watchdogs, but as true partners in peace and development,” one participant shared emotionally. “MP Benito’s authorship of this bill gives us that recognition—and more importantly, that trust.”
Throughout the consultation, the participants expressed overwhelming support for the immediate passage of the bill. They believe it holds the potential to institutionalize the role of CSOs in policy-making, program implementation, and government accountability across BARMM.
MP Abdulbasit Benito, known for his grounded leadership and engagement with the grassroots, personally listened to feedback, acknowledging both praise and constructive input from the attendees. “The people closest to the problems are also closest to the solutions,” he remarked during one of the sessions. “That’s why this bill is not mine alone—it belongs to all of you.”
As the Bangsamoro Parliament prepares for further deliberation, the energy from Lamitan echoes a clear call: the time has come to open the doors of governance even wider—to let civil society not just knock, but walk in, sit down, and help shape the region’s future.
Because in the Bangsamoro, real peace and progress are built not just by leaders in Parliament, but hand-in-hand with the people who never gave up believing in change.
July 30, 2025 - BY Admin