GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Bangsamoros living in Region 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN) are advocating for a more solidified role in the Bangsamoro government's development plans. On Monday, August 10, the Bangsamoro Parliament’s Committee on Social Services and Development traveled to the area to hear these concerns firsthand and present a new legislative solution.

At the center of the public consultation is BTA Bill No. 394, a measure designed to institutionalize the Bangsamoro Development Assistance Plan (BDAP). The plan specifically targets marginalized, conflict-affected, and Bangsamoro-majority communities located outside the official borders of BARMM.

While lawmakers acknowledged that the Bangsamoro government currently extends aid to communities beyond its region, they noted the absence of a formal legal framework. BTA Bill No. 394 aims to bridge this gap, establishing a permanent, reliable mechanism for outside communities to access government support.

The Monday hearing was led by MP Abdulbasit Benito and attended by Deputy Chief Minister Hatimil Hassan. Together, they presented the proposed bill and fielded direct input from the community.

Locals from General Santos City and Sarangani Province highlighted several urgent priorities, primarily focusing on disaster response, general health services, and hospital assistance:

Monalisa Mangelen, an academic researcher, advocated for improved disaster preparedness and response protocols. She pointed to specific gaps in the system that were exposed during the recent 7.8-magnitude earthquake in Southern Mindanao.

Gandhi Kinjiyo, a Community Affairs Officer, brought attention to the heavy financial burden of hospital bills on Muslim families, proposing that dedicated funds be carved out specifically for Bangsamoro communities living outside the region.

To finance these efforts, the bill proposes the creation of a Bangsamoro Aid Fund. Under this provision, relevant agencies, offices, and ministries would be mandated to allocate a minimum of 5% of their approved budgets directly to designated Bangsamoro populations and special areas outside of BARMM.

For the Bangsamoro communities residing in Region 12, passing the BDAP would offer peace of mind, ensuring they have a guaranteed, hesitation-free avenue to request assistance from the Bangsamoro government.

Following the General Santos City consultation, the committee will head to Lanao del Norte this Friday to continue gathering public feedback on the measure.