COTABATO CITY —Bangsamoro legislators filed BTA Parliament Bill No. 280, or the Bangsamoro Tourism Act of 2024, which aims to provide a comprehensive framework for promoting and developing tourism in the region.
The bill, introduced by Members of
Parliament Engr. Baintan Ampatuan, Engr. Don Mustapha Loong, Rasul Ismael, and
Atty. Rasol Mitmug Jr., positions tourism development as a major socio-economic
priority for the BARMM.
The legislators emphasize the need for
a balanced approach that promotes economic growth while ensuring the protection
of the environment.
According to the principal authors of
the bill, promoting tourism is important for creating livelihood programs that
benefit local communities in the region.
To achieve this goal, the proposed
legislation calls for the formulation and implementation of a Bangsamoro
Tourism Development Strategy (BTDS), which will serve as a blueprint for
advancing tourism within the BARMM.
The BTDS, as specified in the bill,
must be consistent with the Bangsamoro Development Plan (BDP), the Bangsamoro
Organic Law, and other relevant laws and policies.
Key components of the strategy include
enhancing the quality of tourist experiences, strengthening tourism marketing
and promotion efforts, and building the capacity of the tourism workforce in
Bangsamoro.
The Bangsamoro government should also
formulate a five-year comprehensive development plan, outlining specific,
measurable, and time-bound objectives that align with the broader vision for
tourism within the region.
The bill further proposes the creation
of a Bangsamoro Tourism Council (BTC) to serve as a policy-making body, with a
focus on the development and advancement of tourism in the region.
A Bangsamoro Tourism Advocacy Network
will be established as a collaborative platform to promote sustainable and
responsible tourism practices. The network will assist the Bangsamoro
government in raising public awareness, advocating for responsible tourism,
sharing best practices, and facilitating community engagement.
To ensure local representation and
involvement, the bill advocates for the establishment of Local Tourism Councils
(LTCs) in every province, city, and municipality across the BARMM. These LTCs
will serve as counterparts to the BTC, making tourism governance more
accessible to local constituents.
BTA Parliament Bill No. 280 is joined
by MPs Atty. Laisa Alamia, Amilbahar Mawallil, Atty. Suharto Ambolodto, Tawakal
Midtimbang, Jaafar Apollo Mikhail Matalam, Michael Midtimbang, Atty. Sittie
Fahanie Uy-Oyod, Khalid Hadji Abdullah, and Bassir Utto as co-authors.
(LTAIS-Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division)
