Bangsamoro Parliament Member Estino Examines Pros and Cons of BTA Bill No. 42
COTABATO CITY (October 26, 2024) — The Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform of the Bangsamoro Parliament met on Friday, October 25, to address critical issues surrounding BTA Bill No. 42, also known as the proposed Bangsamoro Irrigation Act.
MP Matarul M. Estino, Chairperson of the said committee emphasized the importance of a thorough examination of the PRLS data associated with the irrigation bill. He urged committee members to base their decisions on factual information and data analysis.
The research presented spotlighted a concerning decline in national government funding for irrigation projects from 2015 to 2024. It also laid out the potential advantages and disadvantages of establishing new offices, particularly focusing on financial sustainability and strategic autonomy, the report said.
During the discussions, the committee explored the possibility of reconciling the two versions of the bill into a single, cohesive document. Chairperson Estino supported this initiative and proposed the formation of a Technical Working Group (TWG) to facilitate the consolidation process.
According to the Office of MP Estinos’ social media post, the meeting concluded with plans to conduct public consultations and hearings across the island and mainland provinces, including the special geographical areas of BARMM, to gather input from the community on the proposed legislation. (Tu Alid Alfonso, BMN/BangsamoroToday)
