Duterte promises continued support for Bangsamoro as it marks 2nd year

MANILA, Philippines — As the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) marked its second anniversary, President Rodrigo Duterte pledged to give them full support by advancing social welfare amidst challenges brought by the pandemic.

“Be assured that this administration will remain determined in its commitment to support self-determination, uphold human rights and advance social welfare in the Bangsamoro region,” Duterte said in a pre-recorded speech on Thursday.

“Today, with the rest of the nation, the BARMM is faced with many daunting challenges aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This is why I’ve given marching orders to all relevant government agencies to give full support to the BARMM through continued assistance in the region,” he added.

The participation of the government of Bangsamoro in the national planning process and the establishment of the Bangsamoro Electoral Office were highlighted by Duterte in his speech.

“I am indeed pleased, happy that in the past two years, we’ve strengthened the collaboration between the national government and the Bangsamoro government. A significant step in achieving meaningful and lasting peace in Mindanao,” Duterte said.

The anniversary of BARMM was held in Malacañang and attended by BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim, BARMM Basic, Higher, and Technical Education Minister Mohagher Iqbal, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, among others.

The BARMM was established in 2019 after a two-part plebiscite, replacing the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

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