Bangsamoro, Philippines

People sitting around a table in Bangsamoro, Philippines

Bangsamoro, Philippines

Latest news
Introduction
Westminster Foundation for Democracy is supporting democratic stability in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in the Muslim Mindanao (BARMM or the Bangsamoro). The Bangsamoro is an autonomous region in the Southern Philippines and the centrepiece of a long-running peace process in which the UK Government played an important support role. 

Context

The Bangsamoro is a fledgling autonomous region in the Southern Philippines. The region was one year into a complex political transition period, following decades of conflict, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) must navigate a range of governance issues to enable the new autonomous region transition into a working democratic entity. These include: 

  • Creating a devolved parliamentary system of government within a unitary, presidential state;
  • Crafting a mixed electoral system that provides for a fairer playing field and represents diverse group interests;
  • Ensuring the new politics of the region includes everyone;
  • Ensuring that Bangsamoro women and other minority groups have political voice and meaningful representation. 

Current programmes 

Supporting Democratic Stability in the Bangsamoro

The Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) will serve as an interim government in BARMM until the first elections take place in 2022. Until then, the BTA’s task is to put in place the Bangsamoro Organic Law, the constitutional basis of the Bangsamoro and to build the required institutional architecture and structures for effective and inclusive governance in the Bangsamoro.  

WFD is leading a programme supporting the BTA to deliver on the Bangsamoro Organic Law, funded through the UK Government’s Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF). WFD’s work in the Bangsamoro addresses some of the most pressing areas of the transition, including:  

  • Strengthening the Bangsamoro Parliament and developing the expertise of its members and staff;  
  • Supporting the development of a political party system that fits the new parliamentary frame and which allows for meaningful representation for all peoples of the Bangsamoro;  
  • Supporting women political leaders in the Bangsamoro to work together to identify and influence policies and laws.
Status
Underway
8
Planned end date

Latest news

Two men examine a document in a session of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority
Story
Helping establish democracy in Bangsamoro
WFD is supporting the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), to put in place the Bangsamoro Organic Law, the constitutional basis of Bangsamoro, and to build the required institutional architecture and structures for effective and inclusive governance in Bangsamoro.
A group of CSO representatives gathered around a table at a training workshop
Story
Shoring up peace by bringing citizen voices into the new Bangsamoro democracy
With WFD’s assistance, a group of civil society organisations in Bangsamoro have formed a technical working group (TWG) with increasing membership and produced a guide to engaging parliament.
People sitting around a table
Story
Political advocacy workshop brings together Social Welfare Committee in Bangsamoro, Philippines
Ensuring that women and minority groups in Bangsamoro have political voice and meaningful representation is essential to enable the autonomous region to transition into a working democratic entity. In support of this vision, WFD recently held a Strategic Planning Workshop on Political Advocacy for members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Social Welfare Committee (SWC) in Bangsamoro. From 11th – 13th August 2021, 20 members of the SWC gathered for the event which took place in Isulan town, Sultan Kuarat.
A WFD workshop taking place in the Bangsamoro
Commentary
Transitioning to peace in a pandemic
The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in the Muslim Mindanao, a new devolved administration in the Southern Philippines, was one year into a complex transition period when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Following decades of conflict, the transitional authority in charge of the region faced the same challenges more seasoned governments have been buffeted by around the globe. All the while, a raft of complex governance issues urgently demanded attention too
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Contact us

Datumatong Ebil, Programme Coordinator

Judy Ann Lubiano, Programme Coordinator

the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in the Muslim Mindanao, Cotabato City
Cotabato
Philippines

Judy.Lubiano@wfd.org