Policy Commentary 03: Public libraries and their rationale in the Bangsamoro context

Public libraries and their rationale in the Bangsamoro context

Authored by: Earl Carlo Guevarra

Public libraries are at the forefront of efforts to preserve local knowledge and memory, promote a culture of research and critical thinking, and provide a haven for disseminating ideas, especially in the Bangsamoro context.

This paper aims to outline possible steps that could be undertaken to strengthen the public library system in BARMM and the possible actions that could be launched to turn these public libraries into zones that would celebrate the diversity of cultures found within the region.

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DOST-NRCP awards research grant to PRLS

The Department of Science and Technology National Research Council of the Philippines (DOST-NRCP) has awarded the Policy Research and Legal Services (PRLS) a research grant to assess sufficiency of foreign aid and development partners in the Bangsamoro region. Led by Director Nassef Manabilang Adiong, with staff researchers Kebart Licayan, Aisah Solaiman, and Shahid Calalagan, the PRLS launched the research project “Needs Assessment and Foreign Aid in BARMM.”

The said project will be implemented under the DOST-NRCP’s program, “Support to the Promotion of a Science-Culture on Basic Research in the Regions for Global Competitiveness.” The research team attended a pre-implementation meeting via Zoom teleconferencing. NRCP Executive Director Marieta Banez Sumagaysay spearheaded the meeting. Research grantees were oriented about research undertakings, guidelines, and procedures.

The meeting also discussed the allocation mechanism and ground monitoring of the NSTEP focal region. The PRLS is the only BARMM-based and non-academic institution to receive the grant. Other recipients include various universities in Mindanao.