Palace: DBM to release P59M for BTA members’ salaries

MANILA, Philippines – The government is releasing P59 million to cover the salaries of 82 Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) members from July to December 2019, Malacañang said Tuesday.

The decision was reached during Monday night’s Cabinet meeting, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

“The Cabinet also discussed the delay of the release of BTA funds because of the reenacted budget. The Department of Budget and Management would be releasing P59 million for the salary of 82 BTA members for July to December 2019,” Panelo said.

The BTA staff members reportedly have yet to receive their salaries since the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) was established four months ago as the region remained largely unfunded due to the absence of an administrative code and unresolved issues concerning Civil Service Commission rules.

READ: BARMM birth pains include delayed salaries

During the meeting in Malacañang, Panelo said Presidential peace adviser Carlito Galvez, Jr. informed the Cabinet of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) normalization program and other BTA activities including the appointment of  the leadership and heads of ministries.

The BARMM was established after two plebiscites in January and February resulted to the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, which was anchored on the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, the final peace deal between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) after four decades of armed conflict.

The BARMM is made up  of the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, the cities of Marawi, Lamitan and Cotabato (the newest member), and 63 villages in North Cotabato province. (Editor: Gilbert S. Gaviola)

READ: Gov’t fast-tracking normalization program for MILF — Nograles