Manila, 22 October 2019 – The whole delegation of policymakers and government leaders from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao has now arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for the Social Enterprise World Forum.
One group is at the policy forum today, joining more than 20 countries, and the second group has traveled 40 kms away from the capital to visit social enterprises there.
European Union in the Philippines
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SEWF 2019 Policy Forum Quick Fire Announcement from Bangsamoro, Philippines
by Maisara Dandamun-Latiph, Member of Parliament, Bangsamoro Transition Authority
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The Bangsamoro Government is one of the youngest autonomous governments in the world today. We just recently emerged from plebiscite last January 2019, where the people overwhelmingly said ‘Yes’ to a new autonomous government after more than 50 years of peace negotiations, instability and conflict. We have 63 per cent poverty incidence, three times the national average for a population of 3.6 million people. There are an estimated 164,500 social enterprises (SEs) in the Philippines and Bangsamoro represents 16 percent of that figure. The civil society is very strong in Bangsamoro. That's a plus. However, they need to be sustainable as most are donor-dependent, given our context. In the Bangsamoro, the British Council and European Union co-funded the promotion and strengthening of social enterprises as a pathway for development and social cohesion. Through policy advocacy, the Bangsamoro Government was able to embed social enterprise in the Bangsamoro Organic Law under: SEC. 27. Cooperatives and Social Entrepreneurship It shall likewise encourage and promote social entrepreneurship as a means to engage the private sector to assist in the development, funding and implementation of solutions to social, cultural or environmental issues. The Parliament shall pass laws to strengthen the growth and development of social enterprises in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region to achieve social justice, social equity and economic efficiency. As members of the Bangsamoro Parliament, we look forward to learning from you how best we can promote and strengthen social enterprises in our conflict-affected region towards a peaceful and prosperous Bangsamoro. |
We have already completed this programme. For opportunities and other queries in relation to our work in the Philippines, please email us at britishcouncil@britishcouncil.org.ph.