Nassef is the founder of PHISO (Philippine International Studies Organization), BRLN (Bangsamoro Research and Legal Network), DSRN (Decolonial Studies Research Network), and Co-IRIS (International Relations and Islamic Studies Research Cohort). He researches policy issues affecting the Bangsamoro society and explores decolonial knowledge sources of the global south as well as interdisciplinary study between Islam and International Relations.
Author: Nassef Manabilang Adiong
Nassef is the founder of Co-IRIS (International Relations and Islamic Studies Research Cohort), PHISO (Philippine International Studies Organization), DSRN (Decolonial Studies Research Network), and BRLN (Bangsamoro Research and Legal Network). He works on interdisciplinary research between Islam and International Relations and explores the Bangsamoro society as he heads the Policy Research and Legal Services (PRLS) of the Bangsamoro Parliament. Visit https://nassef.info/ for more details.
The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) was recorded as the second-fastest-growing region in the country, with 7.5% Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) growth in 2021. Accompanied by this economic growth is the reduction of the proportion of poor families from 55.9% in 2018 to 39.4% in 2021.
However, this significant economic improvement at the regional level does not translate to the provincial level which poses a challenge in expanding and making the growth inclusive in all areas of BARMM. This paper looks into the poverty profile of the BARMM provinces to provide valuable insights and policy recommendations that could help alleviate the poor families in the next succeeding years.
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The Ministry of Health BARMM (MOH-BARMM) has formed partnership with the Policy Research and Legal Services (PRLS) of the BTA Parliament for mentoring their research proponents on health research which took off last March 22-25, 2022, at the Grand Summit Hotel, General Santos City.
Research mentoring is part of the service deliverables of the PRLS under Legislative Workshops. The main objective of the formed partnership with the MOH-BARMM is to help the proponents in coming up with health research proposals and guide them throughout the implementation of their research.
Five health research studies were proposed during the program. The proposed titles, the researchers, and their respective PRLS mentors are presented below
1. How to make Epidemiology and Surveillance Units Functional in BARMM
Researchers: Ms. Katherine Gay G. Villanueva and Ms. Zenaida K. Pandita
Mentor: Mr. Nashrolah S. Langco, Legislative Staff Officer, PRLS Office of the Service Director
2. Respiratory Therapist Job Perceptions: The Impact of Protocol Use in Amai Pakpak and CRMC
Researchers: Dr. Mohammad Candao and Ms. Shymalyn Guialel
Mentor: Mr. Mc Erschad D. Pabillan, Legislative Staff Officer, PRLS Legislative Research Division
3. Factors affecting why pregnant mothers opt for home delivery over Rural Health Unit Facility in the Island of Tawi-Tawi
Researchers: Ms. Michelle F. Lu and Ms. Bai Hazrat Fatima Biruar
Mentor: Ms. Anisah U. Lingga, Legislative Staff Officer, PRLS Legislative Measures and Legal Assistance Division
4. Factors Affecting the Hesitancy and Uptake of COVID 19 Vaccines in BARMM, Philippines
Researchers: Dr. Nihaya P. Macasindil and Ms. Lilian P. Macadupang
Mentor: Mr. Kebart P. Licayan, Legislative Staff Officer, PRLS Legislative Research Division
5. Health Literacy Assessment in the Province of Basilan: A cross-sectional survey using the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ)
Researchers: Ms. Nasiba Masuhul and Mr. Eldhi Francis B. Alibangbang
Mentor: Mr. Vincent L. Casil, Chief, PRLS Legislative Research Division
As stated in PRLS Training Design for Mentorship, the PRLS mentors’ responsibilities extend well beyond helping novice researchers (NR) learn what is entailed in the research and writing components of the research mentoring program. PRLS mentors also incorporate NR into the culture of the discipline, clarifying and reinforcing—principally by example—what is expected of a professional scholar.
Moreover, a research board was formed consisting of Ms. Lilian P. Macadupang, head of the Research and Development Unit of MOH-BARMM; PRLS director Nassef M. Adiong; and Mr. Vincent L. Casil. The board acts as the panelist during the presentation of the research proposals of the proponents.
The revised proposals shall be presented by the proponents to MOH to request for funding. As of writing, the proponents and their mentors continue to keep in touch to give updates on their research.
The Policy Research and Legal Services (PRLS) held a Grand Iftar on April 19 in observance of Ramadan. Ramadan is the holiest month of the year in Islamic culture. For Muslims, it’s a time for spiritual reflection and growth; it’s also the perfect opportunity to help those in need and spend more time with friends and families. The sacred month of Ramadan is practiced by fasting from food and water and abstaining from committing evil deeds from the start of dawn to sunset every day.
Iftar marks the end of each day’s fast and often celebrates and brings together the community. Ramadan also emphasizes a renewed commitment to generosity and charity, and iftar is connected to those values as well. Providing food for others to break their fast is considered an important part of the observance. As part of the event, the dinner also serves as a celebration and thanksgiving for its newly appointed staff. The gathering also welcomes the new employees of PRLS and congratulates the Service’s new lawyers who have recently passed the Bar examination 2020-2021
This paper aims to contribute to the discussion on how media represent women in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Given the interlocking issues of religion, culture, and economic conditions, the research engages the question of how women in BARMM are represented in media to understand how these representations could contribute to the existing gender structures in BARMM, whether just or unjust. This study analyzes the contents of Mindanao Expose, a weekly newspaper based in Cotabato City, for a four-month period. Through content analysis, this study shows that despite the underrepresentation of women in the news, as men still dominate the news images, the newspaper has moved beyond the depiction of women as simply sexualized, subordinate, or in their traditional roles; instead, women in BARMM are seen as formal, active, and someone who is engaged in public. Based on these representations, one can draw the conclusion that the representation of women in BARMM through news platforms has the potential to challenge stereotypes against women and promote more meaningful roles and conditions for Bangsamoro women.
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To help refine the Bangsamoro Investment Code, the Policy Research and Legal Services (PRLS) attends the Bangsamoro Board of Investments Technical Working Group (BBOI TWG) meeting on April 13.
PRLS Director Nassef Manabilang Adiong has served as a resource speaker during the meeting, along with the heads of two divisions under the service, Atty. Hisham Biruar and Mr. Vincent Casil. The BBOI TWG, of which the PRLS is a member, convened to review and discuss matters relating to various sections of the bill.
The said TWG was formed after the BBOI adopted a resolution to expedite the approval of the draft of the proposed measure on Regional Investment Incentives Law, or the Bangsamoro Omnibus Investment Code.
The measure is one of the priority legislation the Bangsamoro Government intends to pass in order to “promote investments in the region and render fiscal incentives-giving services for the development of the regional and national economy in consonance with the principles and objectives of achieving regional and global competitiveness; fostering economic efficiency; encouraging and supporting investments that promote region-wide development and create productive and quality employment.”
Nassef Manabilang Adiong, PhD 
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