MARAWI CITY — Bangsamoro authors who have made contributions to literature will soon receive formal recognition and incentives, pending the approval of Parliament Bill No. 288.

Introduced by Member of Parliament (MP) Engr. Don Mustapha Loong, the bill aims to celebrate and reward the courage and dedication of Bangsamoro authors in documenting human experiences and historical narratives.

“This bill honors the bravery and commitment of those who have dared, and will continue to dare, to transcribe the history of human experience onto the pages of history,” said Loong.

He emphasized that the legislation acknowledges the sacrifices authors make in their pursuit of truth.

According to the bill, “Books of Excellence” refer to literary works that have been made publicly available in either printed or electronic formats.

The recognition and incentives will be exclusively for Bangsamoro people who have published works of notable merit across various fields of interest.

To ensure the effective implementation of this initiative, the bill proposes the creation of a Bangsamoro Book Excellence Recognition and Incentive Committee.

The committee will establish standards of excellence, taking into account factors such as originality, creativity, literary craftsmanship, and the relevance of the works to the Bangsamoro people.

The inaugural awarding ceremony should be held the year after the bill’s implementing rules and regulations are enacted.

The co-authors of the bill are MPs Atty. Laisa Alamia, Engr. Baintan Ampatuan, Atty. Rasol Mitmug, Jr., Amilbahar Mawallil, Atty. Suharto Ambolodto, Rasul Ismael, Benjamin Loong, Atty. Jose Lorena, Hatimil Hassan, Eddie Alih, Michael Midtimbang, Mohammad Kelie Antao, Tawakal Midtimbang, Nureedha Misuari, Dan Asnawie, Abdulaziz Amenoden, Denmartin Kahalan, Dr. Kadil Sinolinding, Jr., Dr. Marjanie Macasalong, Ali Montaha Babao, Abdulwahab Pak, Ramon Piang, Ali Solaiman, Abdulkarim Misuari, Nabila Margarita Pangandaman, Mudjib Abu, Amroussi Macatanong, Basit Abbas, Atty. Nabil Tan, Hamid Malik, Bai Maleiha Candao, Tarhata Maglangit, and Jaafar Apollo Mikhail Matalam. (BTAParliament / PIA-10 Lanao del Sur)