Cabinet Bill No. 70 or the Bangsamoro Education Code (BEC) was approved by members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) on May 18. BEC is one of the codes that the BTA prioritizes for the transition period of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) into the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The BEC “includes significant provisions that will enhance the Bangsamoro education system, protect the well-being and rights of our teachers, non-teaching staff, parents, and learners” according to BARMM Education Minister Mohagher Iqbal.

This will allow the Bangsamoro Parliament to establish and manage an integrated quality education specific to the needs of BARMM.

As stated in Article IX Section 16 of the Republic Act No. 11054 or the Bangsamoro Organic Law, the “Bangsamoro Government shall develop an educational framework relevant and responsive to the needs, ideals, and aspirations of the Bangsamoro people.”

The approval of the BEC is just the beginning of the milestone that Bangsamoro has achieved. For years, their request to have a separate state has been denied by past administrations. It was not until 2019 when the Bangsamoro Organic Law got ratified with a goal to unite and attain peace in Mindanao.

The Bangsamoro government does not have equal authority with the national government however, BARMM has more autonomy compared to any other regions. The provinces under BARMM are Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.

Photo Source: Facebook/Bangsamoro Government