The Ministry of Human Settlements and Development of the BARMM witnessed the launching of the book “The Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region: Framework and Annotations” hosted by the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) at the Grand Pagana Hall, Pagana Restaurant, Cotabato City on May 12, 2022.

The activity was highlighted by the Booktalk through which, the authors shared the background and importance of the book, which treats and explains the provisions of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) with due regard to the interplay and dynamics of the Mindanao peace process, the peace agreements, the Philippine Constitution, and autonomy laws.

Atty. Benedicto R. Bacani, IAG Executive Director and co-author of the book, said that copies will be distributed to various universities and libraries in the Philippines to share insights on the unique situation of the Bangsamoro as a region, highlighting the importance of the authors coming from different backgrounds, and thus, providing different angles of perspective when discussing the subject matter.

“Launching this book affirms the adage that Peace Work is a lifetime job,” Co-author and MHSD Deputy Minister (DM) Jose I. Lorena reflected about his lifetime commitment and involvement in the peace process.

The program began with welcome remarks from Atty. Bacani, followed by the Booktalk with co-authors Ishak V. Mastura, MP Rasol Y. Mitmug, Jr., and Johaira C. Wahab.

Along with DM Lorena, the attendees from the MHSD were Abdulhamid C. Alawi, Jr., Chief of Policy Development and Coordination Division and Janice-zah M. Macapantar, Housing and Homesite Regulations Officer VI who both served as Legal Researchers of the book with Jehan V. Harun, Sarah S. Lauban, Yasmin G. Macaumbang, Ali Alrasid D. Umpa, Roxanne T. Ledesma and Mardonio Don Chester B. Agbayani.