The Bangsamoro Government officially launched on Oct. 9 the Citizen’s Charter of the Office of the Chief Minister (OCM-BARMM) to enhance the delivery of frontline services and reinforce its transparency, accountability, and responsiveness. (Hamdan Badrudin/BIO)
COTABATO CITY – The Citizen’s Charter of the Office of the Chief Minister (OCM) was officially launched on Oct. 9, with the aim of streamlining the Government of the Day’s frontline services and reinforcing its transparency, accountability, and responsiveness to the Bangsamoro constituents.
Led by the Administrative Management Service-Office of the Director (AMS-OD) in partnership with the Internal Audit Office (IAO), the launch took place at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex inside the Bangsamoro Government Center in this city.
Primarily outlined in the OCM’s Citizen’s Charter are the service standards delivered by the government to its citizens, assuring service quality and efficiency.
Narcisa Macog, Director III of the AMS, stated that the Charter demonstrates the BARMM Government’s commitment to providing efficient, responsive, and accessible services.
“The Citizen’s Charter is a pledge to uphold the core principles of moral governance and place the needs of the Bangsamoro at the forefront of service delivery,” she said.
Said charter has a total of 81 frontline services, with 42 external services that can be availed by non-OCM clients, and 39 internal services that can be availed by OCM officials and employees.
External services refer to the government services to a transacting citizen or client, business, or another government agency, while internal services are provided for the employees of the government agency.
Accordingly, this charter is significant for ensuring integrity, accountability, and the appropriate administration of public affairs and property, as well as reducing red tape and expedite transactions in the government.
BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim, represented by Assistant Senior Minister Abdullah Cusain, highlighted the relevance of Bangsamoro’s active collaboration and giving of feedback in order to improve service delivery through the Charter.
“This is your document as much as it is ours. We invite you to hold us accountable, demand the excellence you deserve, and partner with us in building a more efficient, accountable, and responsive government,” he stressed.
Hasmiene Ibrahim, Internal Auditor V of the IAO, recognized the commitment of the OCM to the pivotal importance of the sustainability of its Citizen’s Charter as a beacon of citizen-centric service delivery and moral governance.
The charter was finalized in August 2023 following a series of comprehensive training and workshops for its formulation which was supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Development Academy of the Philippines.
During the activity, Cabinet Secretary Mohd Asnin Pendatun, Chief of Staff Alvin-Yasher Abdulgafar represented by Raiza Abas, Bangsamoro Attorney General Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba represented by Atty. Ridzkan Sariul, Civil Service Commission for BARMM Director II Dominador Gonzales, Jr., represented by Kim Kenette Collado, and Chief Advisor Sachiko Misumi of the JICA delivered their messages of support.
The implementation of the OCM’s Citizen’s Charter is anchored to the Enhanced 12-Point Priority Agenda of CM Ebrahim, promoting good governance by enhancing enabling policies that impel transparency, accountability, and improvement of overall public financial management.
Similarly, all government offices and agencies are mandated to formulate their respective Citizen’s Charter pursuant to Republic Act No. 11032, otherwise known as the Ease of Doing Business Law. (Johamin Inok/BIO)
