ZAMBOANGA CITY — Members of Parliament of the  Bangsamoro Transition Authority approved on Thursday,  two bills — extending the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao available budget and Special Development Fund until 2023 purposely to use for the rebuilding, rehabilitation, and development of conflict-affected communities in the region.

Before its approval, the two bills — Bill 127, which extended the availability of the 2020 and 2021 Special Development Fund and Bill 128 which seeks to extend the availability of the General Appropriations Act of the Bangsamoro until 31 December next year, were presented in the plenary on 20 December at the Bangsamoro Government Center in Cotabato City.

BTA Information Officer Sheila de la Cruz said yesterday the SDF will be used based on the Bangsamoro Development Plan in line with the National Government's Development Agenda approved by the Bangsamoro Parliament and the Economic and Development Parliament in 2020.

Moreover, it serves as a roadmap for the development of the Bangsamoro region, providing strategies and priority projects that respond to people's needs entire the region, she said.

Member of Parliament Atty. Ubaida Pacasem said, there were over 200 programs, activities, and projects in 2020 and 2021.

All of these programs are aimed at rebuilding, rehabilitating and developing conflict-affected communities in the region. The implementation of the said programs was however delayed for several reasons, she said.

"With this extension, the Bangsamoro Government will be given liberates to sustain its developmental programs and projects for the Bangsamoro people," Pacasem, who also heads the Ministry of Finance and Budget Management, said.

Meanwhile, BTA Bill 128 also stated that all unreleased and lapsed appropriations will revert to the Bangsamoro Treasury under a special fund for re-appropriation at the end of the validity period.

De la Cruz said funds for infrastructure capital outlays will only be valid for obligation up to the end of 2023, while construction, inspection and payment should be completed by the end of June 2024.