PAGADIAN CITY — The Bangsamoro Transition Authority Parliament has approved Parliament Bill 41 or the Bangsamoro Revolving Fund Act of 2023 which seeks to establish a

P1-billion revolving fund to ensure prompt payment for nationally-funded workers and personnel.

Parliament Member and Minister of Public Works Eduard Guerra on Thursday disclosed that members of the Parliament approved the measure on Wednesday with 49 affirmative votes, zero negative votes and zero abstentions.

The approval of the bill will establish a revolving fund to ensure prompt payment of salaries, compensation and emoluments for nationally-funded workers and personnel under the direct supervision of the implementing BARMM ministries, agencies or offices.

It also seeks to protect the interests of workers and personnel, ensuring their full protection and promotion of general welfare to enhance the efficient delivery of services and programs to the Bangsamoro constituents.

Guerra said Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim certified the bill as urgent, emphasizing the importance of “paying the workers’ dues before their sweat has dried up.”

He added that the landmark legislation will address the “perennial problem” of the delay in the transfer or download of funds from the national government for the payment of salaries of the workers under nationally funded programs.

According to Guerra, a total of 3,725 workers will benefit from the legislation, including doctors, nurses, midwives and social program participants.

The Ministry of Finance and Budget and Management, meantime, will administer and manage the fund by establishing cash management and disbursement systems and procedures, while adhering to existing government accounting and auditing rules and regulations.

It will also ensure the availability of requested funds for the purpose specified and a mechanism will be provided for immediate reimbursement to the fund once the concerned national government agency transfers or downloads the corresponding national funds.

The fund will remain active unless the ministries, agencies, and offices have ceased submitting requests for at least two fiscal years and the MFBM will also provide official quarterly reports on the releases, obligations and disbursements of the fund to the Parliament, ensuring transparency and accountability in its utilization.