The BCOBAR Federation is a network of local chapters and affiliate groups in cities and provinces nationwide representing the Bangsamoro Communities outside the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region. They represent some eight million Bangsamoro populace outside the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). They have chapters in the following territories: National Capital Region (NCR) and Overseas; Calabarzon (Region IV-A) and Bicol Region (Region V); Central Luzon (Region III) and Cagayan Valley (Region II); Cordillera (CAR) and Ilocos Region (Region I); MIMAROPA (Southwestern Tagalog Region) and Western Visayas (Region VI); Central Visayas (Region VII) and Eastern Visayas (Region VIII); Caraga Region (Region XIII) and Northern Mindanao (Region X); Zamboanga Peninsula (Region IX), Davao Region (Region XI), and SOCCSKSARGEN, as well as having sectorial representation: a. Imams and Ulamas, b. Sultans and Datus, c. Senior Citizens, d. Women, e. Youth, f. Overseas Filipinos, g. Cultural and Indigenous Sector, d. Peoples with Disability.
The agenda for the 3rd BCOBAR-BTA-CSO Conference includes discussion on how to operationalize and activate the Office for Other Bangsamoro Communities under the Office of the Chief Minister. If it can be remembered, MP Latiph was the primary author of the BTA Bill No. 15 or the BCOBAR Bill. She was also instrumental in ensuring that the provision on the Office for Other Bangsamoro Communities was included in the Bangsamoro Administrative Code to ensure the creation of an office to ensure the protection of the rights and enhance the economic, social, and cultural development of Bangsamoro people residing in communities outside the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region. As of recent developments, she also filed a resolution calling for the operationalization of the assistance to other Bangsamoro Communities as enshrined in the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) and the Bangsamoro Administrative Code.
MP Maisara Latiph is a staunch advocate for the BCOBARM. She is also among the Bangsamoro Communities outside of BARMM, and regularly conducts relief operations and programs to ensure that those outside of the Bangsamoro Region can feel the presence of the Bangsamoro Government.
She discussed the summary of the aforementioned provision in the Administrative Code and repeated the call to finally operationalize the office.
Other matters on the agenda included the BTA Extension 2025 and how to leverage the collective might of the BCOBAR to support the call for the extension of the transition period.
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