Manila: The Bangsamoro Transition Authority passed a proposed legislation on Wednesday recognizing exemplary leadership among local chief executives (LCEs) who have demonstrated leadership standards of moral governance in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The 80-member BTA is the provisional lawmaking body of the BARMM.

According to Philippines News Agency, Member of Parliament (MP) Naguib Sinarimbo, the author of the Salamat Excellence Award for Leadership (SEAL) or BTA Bill 355, announced that the legislative body approved his proposed measure on third and final reading on Wednesday with a vote of 39 in favor, one against, and no abstentions. Sinarimbo stated that the SEAL also aims to recognize the leadership style of Sheik Salamat Hashim, the founding chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The bill introduces an innovative funding mechanism with the establishment of an endowment fund that is Sharia-compliant to ensure the sustainability of the incentive. MP Abdullah Hasim, son of the MILF founding chair, is among the co-authors of the bill.

Upon becoming law, the SEAL will serve as the highest leadership award, incentive, honor, and recognition-based program for all LCEs in the BARMM. Sinarimbo expressed optimism that the SEAL award will motivate all LCEs and other local leaders to demonstrate extraordinary public service.