Sara earlier issued Executive Order (EO) 68 Series of 2021, "An Order Creating the Interim Moro Affairs Office and Defining Its Functions", emphasizing the need to create an Interim Moro Office given the big Moro community in the city.
The city is home to 11 tribes thus making it a multicultural city that is composed of Christians, Muslims, and Lumad with six Moro groups including the Sama, Maranao, Kagan, Iranun, Maguindanaon, and Tausog.
"It is essential to create a local office which will specifically cater to the needs of the Moro community in the city, and to promote equality and unity among Dabawenyos," Sara said.
She cited Republic Act (RA) No. 9997, otherwise known as "National Commission on Muslim Filipinos Act of 2009" which declares that it is a state policy to ensure the rights and well-being of Muslim Filipinos with due regard to their beliefs, customs, traditions, and institutions, as well as to further ensure their contribution to national goals and aspirations and to make them active participants in nation-building.
The Act also created the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), which is mandated to preserve and develop the culture, tradition, institutions, and well being of Muslim Filipinos, in conformity with the country's laws and in consonance with national unity and development.
The said office will be under the Office of the City Mayor that will oversee its day-to-day function.
All deputy mayors of the Moro tribes to include the lranun, Kagan, Maguindanaon, Maranao, Sama, and Tausug have been mandated to manage the Interim Moro Affairs Office and is the primary pipeline to execute instructions, programs, and projects of Davao City designed to promote the welfare, growth, and development of the Muslim communities.
The new office which is a primary agency of the City Government of Davao ensures the preservation and development of the culture, tradition, institutions, and well-being of Muslim residents in the city.
It acts as a medium through which Muslim residents of Davao City can seek government assistance, and linkage to local and national offices in terms of Muslim affairs; closely coordinates with local and national agencies about programs and provisions affecting Muslim communities; formulate and implement policies, plans, programs and projects aimed towards the advancement of the Muslim communities in the city.
It will also provide advice and assistance in the implementation and monitoring of policies, plans, programs, and projects affecting Muslim communities; and promote and enhance the development of domestic trade and commerce among the members of the Muslim communities.
The office is also tasked to cooperate or coordinate with existing public enterprises, corporations, or private entities, promote or facilitate the establishment of joint ventures and investments by the members of the Muslim communities ; promote and develop the Philippine Halal Industry and assist in the accreditation of halal-certified entities/bodies in partnership or cooperation with appropriate agencies, individuals and institutions here and abroad.
It is also created to develop criteria for allocating additional resources for education, economic, and cultural development programs; monitor and evaluate the performance of all existing policies and development programs of the government that seek to strengthen and uplift the socio-economic conditions of Muslim residents here and identify areas that need government intervention and support, and perform such other functions as may be necessary for its effective operations and continued enhancement as a government entity.
All operational costs of the office shall be charged to available funds of the Office of the City Mayor, subject to the usual accounting and auditing rules and regulations.
Duterte added that the said order shall remain in full force effective immediately.