DAVAO CITY – Member of Parliament Abdulbasit R. Benito, Vice Chairperson of the Committee on Social Services and Development (CSSD), actively participated in the public hearing and deliberation on BTA Bill No. 121, a measure seeking to establish a Bangsamoro Commission of Senior Citizens under the Office of the Chief Minister, on Monday, August 17, 2026, at Seda Hotel, Davao City.
The hearing was presided over by CSSD Chairperson Member of Parliament Nurredha Misuari as part of the committee’s continuing efforts to strengthen policies and programs that promote the welfare and well-being of senior citizens across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
As Vice Chair of the CSSD, MP Benito joined fellow committee members, government agencies, and stakeholders in discussing the proposed measure, which seeks to create a dedicated body responsible for overseeing the implementation of laws, programs, and services for senior citizens in the Bangsamoro region.
Under BTA Bill No. 121, the proposed Bangsamoro Commission of Senior Citizens will coordinate with BARMM ministries and local government units, safeguard the privileges and benefits guaranteed to older persons under existing laws, and develop responsive programs addressing their social, healthcare, and rehabilitation needs.
The measure also aims to strengthen access to social protection and essential services for elderly residents, particularly senior citizens with disabilities and those belonging to vulnerable sectors.
During the deliberation, MP Benito underscored the importance of ensuring that the rights, welfare, and dignity of senior citizens remain a priority in the region’s social development agenda. The discussion highlighted the need for a dedicated institution that will address the growing concerns of the aging population and ensure that government programs effectively reach elderly beneficiaries throughout BARMM.
The hearing reflects the commitment of the CSSD, under the leadership of Chairperson MP Nurredha Misuari and Vice Chairperson MP Abdulbasit R. Benito, to advancing legislation that promotes inclusive, accessible, and responsive social services for Bangsamoro communities.
