The Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) kicks off today, May 2, a four-part policy discussion series on intergovernmental relations and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

IAG joins forces with Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Ateneo School of Government and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to conduct this academic and technical policy discussion series that will generate input to policymakers and to intergovernmental relations mechanism in the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) on critical issues in intergovernmental relations such as devolution, powers and oversight.

Intergovernmental relations between the national government, Bangsamoro government and the local government units is one of the most critical issues in the implementation of the BOL and the transition from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to BARMM.

These relations must function coherently, productively, and efficiently for a successful transition and an autonomous arrangement for the Bangsamoro.

Considering that the Bangsamoro is a template for regional entity under the envisioned Federal Philippines, these policy discussions will help inform the federalism agenda of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Lawyers and former ARMM officials Anwar Malang and Ishak Mastura will provide inputs to the first part of the series on May 2 at the DILG headquarters in Quezon City. Their presentations will examine previous policies and practice of intergovernmental relations in the ARMM and critical policy and implementation issues with regard intergovernmental relations in the BOL.

To further enrich the discussion, Prof. Ramon Casiple, Prof. Alfred Sureta and Prof. Eric de Torres of the Center for Federalism and Constitutional Reform will give their reactions to the presentations.

IAG is yet to announce the full schedule of the succeeding parts of the series.

Since 2001, IAG has been in the forefront of providing capacity building and advice to critical institutions in Muslim Mindanao, including the previous Regional Legislative Assembly (RLA) and executive department of the ARMM, Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), and the current Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA). It has also provided technical assistance in the drafting of key legislations like the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) and the BOL, particularly in the areas of transitory mechanisms and processes, decentralized and ministerial system of government, elections and political party systems and participation and representation of indigenous peoples.

The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) is a political foundation closely associated with the Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU).  KAS has been active in the Philippines since 1964. Since 1998, its main activities in the Philippines have focused on social market economy, institutional and political reform, and peace and development in Mindanao.

With KAS, IAG is also holding a three-part roundtable discussion series for better understanding of the BOL and the ways and means to implement it in a meaningful, efficient and relevant way. The topics include transition and the BTA, BARMM budget and sources of funding for the transition and intergovernmental relations.

With the Policy Center of the Ateneo School of Government, IAG is launching in 2019 the Access Bangsamoro online and social media portal to promote the free flow of information, analysis and discussion for the effective implementation of the BOL and the successful transition to the BARMM. The project is being funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) under the ENPOLD program of IAG.

Dr. Stefan Jost of KAS Philippines, DILG Usec. Jonathan Malaya and IAG Executive Director Atty. Benedicto Bacani

More photos on IAG's Facebook page.