[THE MINDANAO TODAY] HOUSE, SENATE, SUBATRA RECEIVES GRATITUDE FROM BANGSAMORO PARLIAMENT

 By: The Mindanao Today (National)

COTABATO CITY – The legislative branch of the government received a heartfelt gratitude from the Bangsamoro Parliament.

This after, one of the main authors, Member of Parliament Diamila Disimban-Ramos, announced on social media that resolutions 583 and 584 were approved in their Third Regular Session No. 66.

This further recognized the fruitful benchmarking efforts of the BTA Committee on Women, Youth, Children and Persons with Disabilities chaired by MP Ramos to the House Committee on Women and Gender Equality led by Rep. Geraldine Roman of Bataan and the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality led by Sen. Risa Hontiveros.

Photo Courtesy: Office of MP Diamila Ramos' PIMA

“Nagagalak po tayo na naging makabuluhan at matagumpay ang benchmarking activity ng BTA-CWYCP nitong Mayo 7-9, 2024 sa nasabing mga sangay lehislatura na tumalakay sa mandato, komposisyon at mga napagtagumpayan ng bawat Komite at best practices nito para lalo pang mapaigting ang kani-kaniyang kaalaman sa pagpasa ng mga mahahalagang batas para palakasin ang sektor ng kababaihan at iba pang marginalized sectors,” said CWYCP Chairperson Ramos. [It was a successful activity in the said legislative branches that discussed the mandate, composition, and achievements of each committee and its best practices to further strengthen their respective knowledge in passing important laws to strengthen the women's sector and other marginalized sectors.]

 

Photo Courtesy: Office of MP Diamila Ramos' PIMA

“Ito ay towards our efforts na rin po in contributing to the on-going peacebuilding efforts hindi lang po sa ating region, kundi sa buong bansa,” she added. [This is towards our efforts to contribute to the on-going peacebuilding efforts not only in our [BARMM] region but also in the country.]

Aside from Disimban-Ramos, other proponents are MPs Mary Ann Arnado, Baintan Ampatuan, Susana Anayatin, Sittie Fahanie Uy-Oyod, Tarhata Maglangit, Nurredha Misuari, Nabila Pangandaman, Aida Silongan, and Baileng Mantawil.

 

Photo Courtesy: Office of MP Diamila Ramos' PIMA

The committee had a chance for a house tour, witnessed the plenary session, and paid a courtesy visit to House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and other house leaders and lawmakers, including Deputy Speaker Yasser Alonto Balindong, Presidential Son and Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Alexander ‘Sandro’ Marcos, Deputy Majority Leader and ACTCIS Partylist Rep. Erwin Tulfo.

“Your visit represents a significant step towards fostering deeper understanding and collaboration between our respective committees, united by a shared commitment to advance the rights and welfare of the vulnerable sectors of society. We are not just sharing practices and policies; we are building bridges. Bridges that connect communities toward a common goal of equality, justice, and empowerment for all. In this meeting, we were enlightened; the legislation in favor of women and children in BARMM is very advanced,” Roman stated in a post-activity video acquired by The Mindanao Today to MP Ramos' Public Information and Media Affairs Division Chief Julius Disamburun.

During a meaningful benchmarking activity at the Senate, the committee members witnessed, were acknowledged in plenary session, and had a chance for a senate tour and a meet-and-greet with some of the senators.

“Ikinatuwa po hindi lang ni MP Ramos kundi ng buong komite at delegasyon ang matagumpay na mga benchmarking visit na ito dahil nagkaroon ng produktibong exchange of information, exchange of ideas at may mga nabuong kolaborasyon sa mga counterpart committees,” he added. [MP Ramos and the committee and its delegation were glad for the successful benchmarking visit because there was a productive exchange of information, an exchange of ideas, and collaboration with the counterpart committees.]

Photo Courtesy: Office of MP Diamila Ramos' PIMA

"This is not so much a benchmarking for your committee but just a leveling-off between our two committees kasi napakayaman na din ng inyong karanasan at napaka-historic pa kasi kayo ang unang Committee on Women, Youth, Children and PWDs sa BARMM [...because of your experience and also very historic because you are the first Committee on Women, Youth, Children, and PWDs in BARMM]," Hontiveros, the chair of the senate women committee, pointed out.

Photo Courtesy: Office of MP Diamila Ramos' PIMA

Meanwhile, resolution 585 was also adopted, extending the same appreciation to the Support to Bangsamoro Transition, or SUBATRA, program for its invaluable contribution to the success of the committee’s benchmarking activity led by Atty. Reginald Pastrana.

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