BTA adopts resolution to prevent entry of 2019-nCoV in Bangsamoro Region

Cotabato City —The Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) has adopted the Resolution No. 186, urging the concerned agencies and Local Government Units (LGUs) of the Bangsamoro Government “to adopt and implement measures to prevent the entry of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus in the areas Bangsamoro Region” on Friday, January 31.

The resolution was adopted during the 30th session of the BTA's first regular session held in Cotabato City.

The said resolution was proposed and authored by Members of the Parliament, Atty. Ziaur-Rahman Alonto Adiong, House Speaker Ali Pangalian Balindong, Atty. Omar Yasser Sema, and Engr. Don Mustapha Loong.

MP Adiong said in a statement on Friday's session, “the resolution was adopted to mobilize concerned ministries and LGUs within BARMM to formulate preventive measures in order to protect our constituents from the reach of this epidemic".

Section 22, Article IX of Republic Act 11054, or the Bangsamoro Organic Law, states that the Bangsamoro Government is mandated "to protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them as well as uphold the people’s right to have access to essential goods, health, and other social services the promote their well-being.”

“The Bangsamoro Transition Authority Parliament is fully aware of the threat of 2019-nCov on the safety of our public,” Adiong noted.

Relative to the resolution, the Ministry of Interior and Local Government (MILG) has released a memorandum order on January 31, directing all the LGUs in the region to take all measures necessary to prevent the entry and/or spread of the virus in the Bangsamoro.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Ministry of Education (MBHTE) will “conduct a public awareness campaign” regarding the said virus.

MOH will also distribute appropriate masks, disinfectants, and other hygiene kits.

What is 2019-nCov?The Novel Coronavirus or 2019-nCov is an acute respiratory decease that was first detected on December 31, 2019 in Wuhan, China. Aside from China, the virus has spread in other parts of the globe. Sixteen other countries have confirmed cases of the 2019-nCoV.

According to a report from World Health Organization (WHO), there are 7,783 confirmed cases of 2019-nCov as of January 30, 2020, wherein the majority came from mainland China. It was also reported that at least 170 people have died caused by the virus.

On Thursday, January 30, the Department of Health (DOH) confirmed the first person-to-person 2019-nCoV case in the Philippines—a 38-year old Chinese woman from Wuhan, China.

As of writing, the DOH reported thrirty-one (31) patients under investigation (PUIs). Twenty-three (23) of these are now admitted and isolated, six (6) PUIs were already discharged but strictly monitored, one (1) confirmed case, and one (1) PUI mortality.

Because of this global situation, the WHO declared today, January 31, the 2019-nCoV as "public health emergency of international concern".

In line with this declaration, the public is advised to be more vigilant, observe proper hygiene, strengthen immune system by eating healthy foods, drink plenty of water, and avoid crowded places. (Bureau of Public Information)

BARMM commits to fight against OFW human trafficking

Cotabato City —To protect the rights of the Bangsamoro Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), the Bangsamoro Government signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Blas F. Ople Policy Center on Tuesday, January 21, at the Bangsamoro Government Center, in Cotabato City.

The said MOA, which aimed to create the Bangsamoro Task Force against human trafficking of OFWs from the region, was signed by BARMM Executive Secretary Abdulraof Macacua and Blas F. Ople Policy Center President Susan V. Ople.

The signing was attended by Bangsamoro Executive Secretary Abdulraof Macacua, Assistant Executive Secretary Abdullah Cusain, Attorney General Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba, and other officials from BARMM’s different ministries and offices.

In Macacua’s message, he stressed that “in an ideal world, all our Bangsamoro brothers and sisters working abroad will go back to their roots and would no longer have to leave apart from their families – so, they won’t have to be exposed to the dangers of human trafficking.”

“We owe a lot to the Bangsamoro OFWs who actively campaigned for the passage of the Bangsamoro Organic Law and publicly supported and encouraged their family to vote ‘yes’ to the ratification of the said law exactly a year ago today [January 21, 2020],” he added.


The Bangsamoro Task Force Against Human Trafficking of OFWs

“The said agreement is a commitment of BARMM to guarantee the fundamental rights of the Bangsamoro against human trafficking and other forms of abuse and human rights violations,” Macacua said.

“It is unfortunate that our OFWs are vulnerable to human trafficking, but it is more unfortunate that despite the rising statistics of human trafficking involving OFWs, more and more Filipinos are enticed by the promise of a greener pasture abroad,” he added.

Meanwhile, Lawyer Dumama-Alba said that the creation of the Bangsamoro Task Force Against Human Trafficking of OFWs hopes to “establish mechanisms of detecting and identifying early signs of human trafficking by setting up credible and reliable data management and case monitoring system on OFWs and human trafficking incidence.”

She said it will also identify, determine, and discuss the root causes of illegal migration to determine its approach on how to effectively combat trafficking networks, as well as receive, document, track report, and gather evidences on human trafficking involving Bangsamoro OFWs case build-up.

The Blas F. Ople Policy Center is working closely with the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) in the strengthening of a specialized Task Force for monitoring and providing support for the investigation and prosecution of trafficking cases against OFWs.

The Office of the Chief Minister is set to identify and designate a focal office to spearhead the creation, establishment, and operation of the said Task Force.

“The MOA is just good for a year, so talagang kailangan natin i-operationalized [ang creation ng Bangsamoro Task Force],” Dumama-Alba said.

The creation of the Bangsamoro Task Force is spearheaded by the Office of the Chief Minister. Other ministries and offices of BARMM will also be represented in the said Task Force. (Bureau of Public Information}