ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has conducted an assessment of the effectiveness and impact of the Temporary Appointment System (TAS) provisions which provides temporary first-level positions to Mujahideen and Mujahidat or former combatants.

The Development Academy of the Bangsamoro (DAB) conducted the assessment through its Center for Research and Policy Development (CRPD) Division, which recently held a meeting in General Santos City.

BARMM chief minister Ahod Ebrahim said on Sunday that inclusive and equal access to quality services is needed for social justice and human capital development.

Meantime, DAB officer-in-charge executive director Abdul Khyr Macasayon said that the review enhances comprehension, fostering meaningful discussions and inspiring suggestions for improving the effectiveness of Article 305.

Macasayon said that during the conduct of the assessment, the DAB-CRPD unveiled findings on the TAS outlined in Article 305 of the Bangsamoro Civil Service Code.

He added that under Article 305, up to 30 percent of entry-level plantilla positions in the Bangsamoro government can be allocated to Mujahideen and Mujahidat regardless of civil service eligibility, provided positions are salary grade 9 or below.

Following the review, Macasayon said that the rollout presented the key findings, recommendations and actionable steps derived from the data-gathering sessions to address the aspirations of Mujahideen and Mujahidaat.

According to DAB-CRPD division chief Fairodz Taalim, the study revealed that out of 467 Plantilla positions filled up in the Bangsamoro government, only 77 Mujahideen and Mujahidat, or 16.49 percent of the 30 percent required in Article 305, were given the opportunity to be hired in TAS positions.

The study also disclosed that the Ministry of Finance, and Budget and Management has recorded the highest number of ministries hiring for TAS positions, followed by the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform, Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Human Settlement and Development, respectively.

Qualified members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front or Moro National Liberation Front can avail and apply for the Temporary Appointment System in BARMM under Article 305 of the Bangsamoro Civil Service Code.

Key findings indicated that while TAS effectively addresses short-term staffing needs, improvements are needed in communication, career development pathways for temporary staff, and transparency in selection processes.