BARMM seeks to promote ‘Bangsamoro’ products, services

COTABATO CITY ― To empower the Bangsamoro community and showcase their unique identity, a bill has entered its first reading in Parliament, seeking to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy that will enhance the visibility and recognition of Bangsamoro products and services both nationally and internationally.

Authored by Member of Parliament Amilbahar Mawallil, the bill seeks to capitalize on the cultural heritage and creative talents of the Bangsamoro people to facilitate economic growth, cultural exchange, and increased recognition of the community. It aims to promote and internationalize the “Bangsamoro” brand across various goods, services, and creative products.

The BTA Bill No. 199, or the Bangsamoro Brand Promotion and Internalization Act of 2023, also seeks to institutionalize support for marketing initiatives, establish quality standards, and provide intellectual property protection to enable the brand to gain prominence and contribute to economic growth and cultural exchange.

According to the bill, the term “Bangsamoro” describes the collective identity and culture of the Moro people living in the BARMM.

Collaborating with other relevant agencies and stakeholders, the BARMM’s Trade, Investments, and Tourism Ministry (MTIT) will take the lead in developing and implementing the comprehensive strategy, which includes market research and analysis, marketing and promotion, trade fairs and exhibitions, product development and innovation, and training and capacity building.

To ensure the quality and integrity of “Bangsamoro” products and services, the MTIT will establish and enforce quality standards that cover production, packaging, labeling, and distribution processes.

A certification system will be developed to validate compliance with these standards, allowing accredited products to bear a distinctive “Seal of Excellence” logo and design in their packaging, advertisements, marketing, and sales activities.

Enterprises that earn the “Seal of Excellence” accreditation, as well as local business establishments and organizations that champion and patronize Bangsamoro goods and services, will be rewarded with incentives provided by the MTIT.

The bill also includes initiatives to further improve the identification and understanding of the Bangsamoro brand, recognizing the importance of preserving and protecting the cultural heritage of the Bangsamoro people. These initiatives will focus on supporting accredited Bangsamoro goods, including traditional crafts, indigenous knowledge systems, and cultural events that highlight the unique identity of the Bangsamoro community.

To ensure the effectiveness and assess the impact of the initiatives implemented, the MTIT will establish a monitoring and evaluation mechanism.

The bill also calls on all agencies within the Bangsamoro government, as well as the private business sector and consumers, to actively advocate for and patronize accredited Bangsamoro goods and services.

It also recommends that the Bangsamoro government officially use these products as gifts, tokens, or souvenirs for official missions abroad, visiting dignitaries, and participation in meetings, conventions, events, or contests.

MPs Atty. Laisa Alamia, Engr. Baintan Ampatuan, Atty. Rasol Mitmug Jr., Engr. Don Mustapha Loong, Atty. Suharto Ambolodto, and Rasul Ismael co-authored BTA Bill No. 199. (LTAIS-Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division)