Category: News and Events

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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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.

Authored by: Mc Erschad D. Pabillan

The province of Maguindanao and Lanao Del Sur will lose electricity due to power curtailment to Magelco and power cut to Lasureco for failure to settle over 16 billion pesos unpaid electricity bills.

In this policy paper, Legislative Research Division Technical Staff Mc Erschad D. Pabillan discusses the cause of the mentioned debt problem and the actions taken by the National Government and BARMM to solve the issue.

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After the three-day strategic planning organized by the Office of the Secretary General (OSG), a framework for drafting the secretariat-wide Manual of Operations has been established. The Policy Research and Legal Services (PRLS) – one of the four offices operating under the OSG – participated in the activity.

From June 27 to 29, technical staff from PRLS presented the service’s manual of operations, including its mission, vision, core values, and key outputs. Among the presenters were Mr. Kebart Licayan, Mr. Nashrola Langco, and Mr. Moh’d Al-Khaleel Bogabong. Other participants from the office include Service Director Nassef Manabilang Adiong, LRD Chief Vincent Casil, and Administrative Staff Mazhar Ali. During the event, the PRLS made a significant contribution in refining the legislative secretariat’s vision, mission, and core values.

Member of the Parliament Dr. Susana Anayatin, in collaboration with the Policy Research and Legal Services (PRLS), conducted the “Policy and Legal Research Training Workshop” from June 27 to 28 at Pagana, Kutawato Restaurant in Cotabato City.

The technical staff of the PRLS served as resource persons during the event. Their presentations include the following:

• Policy Research Template by PRLS Director Dr. Nassef Manabilang Adiong;

• Data Analysis by Legislative Research Division (LRD) Chief Mr. Vincent Casil;

• Bill Drafting by Legislative Measures and Legal Assistance Division (LMLAD) Chief Atty. Hisham Nazz Ala Biruar, CPA;

• Data Gathering and Method by LRD Technical Staff Ms. Anisah Lingga; and

• Legal Research by LMLAD Technical Staff Atty. Razul Kiram Ibrahim

The workshop was participated by the staff of MP Anayatin. According to her,

“The goal of the activity is to enhance the knowledge and skills of staff particularly their skills in drafting bills and resolutions.”