Photo by Hamdan Badrudin/BIO
COTABATO CITY—The Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament gave the green light to Parliament Bill No. 41 or the Bangsamoro Revolving Fund Act of 2023, following its approval on the third and final reading on Wednesday, May 17, 2023.
The bill, introduced by the Government of the Day, received overwhelming support with 49 affirmative votes, 0 negative votes, and 0 abstentions.
The establishment of a Php1-billion revolving fund ensures prompt payment of salaries, compensation, and emoluments for nationally-funded workers and personnel under the direct supervision of the implementing BARMM ministries, agencies, or offices.
The Act also seeks to protect the interests of workers and personnel, ensuring their full protection and promotion of general welfare to enhance the efficient delivery of services and programs to the Bangsamoro constituents.
Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim certified the bill as urgent, emphasizing the importance of “paying the workers’ dues before their sweat has dried up” in accordance with the tenets of Islam.
Parliament member and Minister of Public Works Eduard Guerra said that the landmark legislation will address the “perennial problem” of the delay in the transfer or download of funds from the national government for the payment of salaries of the workers under nationally funded programs.
A total of 3,725 workers will benefit from the legislation, including doctors, nurses, midwives, and social program participants.
The Ministry of Finance, and Budget and Management (MFBM) will administer and manage the Fund, in accordance with established cash management and disbursement systems and procedures, while adhering to existing government accounting and auditing rules and regulations.
The MFBM will ensure the availability of requested funds for the purpose specified, and a mechanism will be provided for immediate reimbursement to the Fund once the concerned national government agency transfers or downloads the corresponding national funds.
In a concerted effort to facilitate the seamless transfer of funds from the national government to the Bangsamoro Government, relevant ministries, agencies, and offices are mandated to diligently fulfill their roles and responsibilities.
However, it is emphasized that the Bangsamoro Government does not assume the national government’s responsibilities regarding the salaries, compensation, and emoluments of nationally-funded programs.
This ensures the efficient allocation of resources and supports the continued development and progress of the Bangsamoro region.
The Fund will remain active unless the ministries, agencies, and offices have ceased submitting requests for at least two fiscal years. In such cases, the Fund will be dissolved, and the amount will revert to the Bangsamoro Treasury.
The MFBM will also provide official quarterly reports on the releases, obligations, and disbursements of the Fund to the Parliament, ensuring transparency and accountability in its utilization. (Aisah Abas/BIO)
