The Bangsamoro Parliament said it would reconcile the proposals to add more regional and local public holidays in the region, taking into account their impact to business and the private sector.
Nonetheless, the proposal that was approved in the committee level and filed with the plenary, already inserted six holidays to the regular non-working holidays, two of which are currently observed nationally, and nine special holidays.
The Bangsamoro Transition Authority Bill No. 192 advanced to the plenary discussion on Wednesday which said it wanted “to provide specific guidelines for observing regular and special holidays in the Bangsamoro region, reflective of the region’s rich history, tradition, cultural heritage, and economic progress”.
The proponent lawmakers said they have conducted the required consultations with various stakeholders, including provincial and local government units, offices and ministries of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, representatives from the business and labor sectors, and academic institutions, participated in the consultation.
While it claimed to have discussed the potential impact of the bill on private workers, business sectors, religious groups, schools, and local government units, and said that it has gained the support from them, the proponents said that “there might be temporary challenges in business operations, [however] the long-term benefits of recognizing these holidays outweigh any inconveniences”.
And while the proposed measure repeals the existing Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act 17, which previously recognized Muslim historical and religious events and all existing Muslim holidays in the defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, it inserted numerous holidays.
These are the following: regular holidays are Bangsamoro Foundation Day, Eid’l Fit’r, Eid’l Adha, Day of Shuhada, Day of Arafah, and First Day of Tashriq.
Added to these are the following special working holidays: Bangsamoro Day of Solidarity, Battle of Bud Daho Day, Commemoration of the Signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, Battle of Bayang Day, Shiek Karimul Makhdum Day, Shariff Kabunsuan Day, Commemoration of the Signing of the 1976 Tripoli Agreement – December 23 or the 1996 Final Peace Agreement, and the Bangsamoro Indigenous Peoples’ Thanksgiving Day.
The Bangsamoro Information Office quoted Jose Emmanuel Cedeno, the Human Resource Office director of the Lamsan Group of Companies, who cited the importance of recognizing and honoring the cultural identity of the Bangsamoro people as he commended the bill.
BTA Floor Leader and Rules Committee Chairman, Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba, said the bill aims to strike a balance between preserving the cultural significance of regional and local holidays and minimizing disruptions to the local economy and daily life.
Deputy Speaker Atty. Omar Yasser Sema explained that the committee will now consult with leaders and engage in further discussions in the plenary to finalize the list of proposed holidays.
To declare any regional and local special holiday within the region, an official proclamation from the Chief Minister will be required, as stated in the bill. It will ensure that the process remains regulated and adheres to the region’s specific needs and traditions.
The bill also allows for the endorsement of historical, religious, or other significant events as special holidays through a resolution passed by Parliament.
BARMM to regulate holidays to cushion impact on private sector
Source: News Paper Radio
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