November 10, 2021 | The Office of MP Maisara C. Dandamun-Latiph in partnership with The Barefoot Institute, conducted a virtual consultation on the draft bill entitled, “AN ACT ORDAINING THE PROMOTION OF SOCIAL ENTERPRISES IN THE BANGSAMORO AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO (BARMM), ESTABLISHING FOR THE PURPOSE THE BANGSAMORO RESILIENT, INCLUSIVE SOCIAL ENTERPRISES (RISE) FOR PEACE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, PROVIDING INCENTIVES, BENEFITS AND APPROPRIATIONS THEREFOR” before presenting a version to the Government of the Day.
The Bangsamoro Organic Law under Article XIII, Section 27 states that: “The Bangsamoro Government shall recognize, protect, and promote the establishment of cooperative enterprises. It shall likewise encourage and promote social entrepreneurship as a means to engage in the private sector, to assist in the development, funding, and implementation of solutions to social, cultural, or environmental issues.”
In 2019, MP Latiph became part of a Social Enterprise Policy Technical Working Group in the BARMM together with members of the BTA and other government officials. She personally seen the power of social enterprises and their potential to sustain the gains of peace in the region. It merits its own legislation to support the flourishing social enterprise environment in the BARMM.
In attendance were different Social Enterprise Civil Society Organizations particularly, Al Qalam Institute, Integrated Resource Development for Tri-People (IRTD), Coffee for Peace, Mindanao Autonomous College Foundation, Inc. (MACFI), Maradeca, Tawi-tawi Alliance of Civil Society organizations, Inc., United Moro Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UMCCI), SEED Initiative, Maranao Collectibles, There is Hope in Daing, PEHMWAC. Also present were Commissioner Nass of the Bangsamoro Youth Comission, the office of MP Ulama, MP Ahang, MP Anayatin, MP Lidasan, Ministry of Trade, Investment, and Tourism, and other experts and representatives.
Their presence and contributions were very invaluable in ensuring a policy that supports on-ground realities for social enterprises in the BARMM. MP Latiph believes that the Bangsamoro people are innately creative, innovative, and purpose-driven making socially entrepreneurial initiatives second nature to us.
