The Bangsamoro Commission for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage(BCPCH) is the primary institution mandated to write the history of the Bangsamoro people, and to establish and sustain the cultural institutions, programs, and projects for the Bangsamoro development. This initiative aligns with the Commission’s effort to promote, preserve, and conserve Bangsamoro’s historical and cultural heritage.
Pursuant to Section 7(c), Article VII of Republic Act No. 11054 and Section 15, Article IV-C of the Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 35, or the Bangsamoro Electoral Code, which provides for the reserved seats and sectoral representatives, shall constitute at least ten percent (10%) of the members of the Parliament. It shall include two (2) reserved seats each for non-Moro indigenous peoples and settler communities. Women, Youth, Traditional Leaders, and the Ulama shall have one sectoral seat each: Provided, that the reserved seats and sectoral representatives shall in no case be less than eight (8) seats.
Also, as provided under Section 18, Article IV of BAA No. 35 on the registration requirement for sectoral organizations or political parties fielding candidates for sectoral representation elections. It states that sectoral organizations duly registered with the COMELEC through the BRAC may participate in the sectoral representative elections: Provided, that the sectoral organizations of traditional leaders shall be certified by the Bangsamoro Commission for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage.
The Bangsamoro Commission for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage (BCPCH), as the office responsible for certifying traditional leaders’ sectoral organizations, releases the final Guidelines for the Certification Process for Traditional Leaders Organizations in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) upon the endorsement by the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Office of the Floor Leader. This important development marks a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to recognize and formalize the roles of traditional leaders within our community. These guidelines have been officially approved and adopted by the Commission En Banc through Resolution No. 008, Series of 2024 entitled “Adopting the Guidelines on the Certification Process for Traditional Leaders Organizations in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).”
The Certification will provide an opportunity for the Traditional Leaders to take part in the election of the Traditional Leaders’ sectoral representative in the Bangsamoro Parliament. Further, the participation of the Traditional Leaders Organizations contributes to the establishment of stable and inclusive leadership and governance essential for sustainable peace and development in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Traditional leaders’ organizations that intend to obtain certification from the Commission must adhere to the requirements outlined in the Guidelines.
Downloadables:
![]() | RESOLUTION NO. 08: Resolution Adopting the Guidelines on the Certification Process for Traditional Leaders’ Organization for Sectoral Representative Elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao |
![]() | FORM NO. TLO-001-Application Form |
a) A duly accomplished and notarized Application Form, containing the following:
b) Constitution and by-laws
c) Organizational structure;
d) Notarized list of its members;
e) Proof of its track record or the individual track record of at least three (3) of its members as demonstrated through a minimum of three (3) verifiable projects, activities, or initiatives promoting the role of traditional leaders in leadership and governance, conflict resolution, religious and spiritual guidance, social welfare, and community development in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM);
f) Platform of government, which must be anchored on its advocacies for the Traditional Leaders.
(Article II, Section 7, Guidelines for the Certification Process for Traditional Leaders Organization in the BARMM)
![]() | FORM NO. TLO-001-Application Form |
Certification application can be made through any of the following:
a) Personal submission with any BCPCH office;
b) Via registered mail or accredited courier, with return receipt requested, addressed to: Don Teodoro V. Juliano Avenue, Rosary Heights XII, Cotabato City, Philippines, 9600;
c) Via official e-mail of the Commission: [email protected]. A copy of the application and its supporting documents shall also be sent to the Office of the Chief Minister via email at [email protected]
(Article III, Section 8, Guidelines for the Certification Process for Traditional Leaders Organization in the BARMM)
For applications submitted via the official e-mail of the BCPCH ([email protected]), a copy of the application and its supporting documents shall also be sent to the Office of the Chief Minister via email at [email protected]
Submission via e-mail shall observe the following format:
From: [Applicant Organization’s official e-mail address]
Subject: Application for Certification [Full name of the Applicant Organization]
Example:
From: [email protected]
Subject: Application for Certification XYZ Traditional Leaders Organization
An e-mail shall contain only electronic documents pertaining to one Applicant Organization and its application for certification. All the necessary requirements must be sent in the same e-mail.
Documents submitted via e-mail must be in PDF format and saved separately, and separately attached to the e-mail. The filename must correspond to the document title.
Example:
Application Form must have a file name “Application Form.pdf”
Organization Structure must have a file name “Organization Structure.pdf”
(Article III, Section 8, Guidelines for the Certification Process for Traditional Leaders Organization in the BARMM)
The filing of application shall be on May 15, 2024 (Wednesday) to June 7, 2024 (Friday).
(COMELEC Resolution No. 10984)
There are no fees associated with the application or certification process.
Applicants will be notified of their application status through e-mail and text message.
Organizations can find detailed information in the official guidelines document available on the BCPCH-BARMM website (www.bcpch.bangsamoro.gov.ph). Additionally, they can contact the BCPCH-BARMM office directly for assistance and support throughout the application process.