GESTURE OF GRATITUDE Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Interim Chief Minister Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim presents a Bangsamoro “kampilan” (sword) to President Marcos on Wednesday in gratitude for his support for Moro political empowerment and autonomy. —Photo courtesy of Presidential Communications Office
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday directed Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, who chairs the national government panel in the Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB) of the Bangsamoro peace process, to take steps to complete the necessary measures to fulfill meaningful autonomy for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
In a speech in Malacañang, the President expressed optimism that a manual of operations for the IGRB would be completed soon as the BARMM prepares for its first regular elections next year.
“With the forthcoming elections, I urge the (Budget) Secretary and cochair of the IGRB to expedite the finalization of the IGRB manual of operations and resolution of identified issues,” the President said.
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Marcos gave the directive during the ceremonial turnover of the Third Progress Report of the National Government–Bangsamoro Government IGRB in Malacañang.
He said the IGRB manual of operations would serve as the “backbone of support” from the BARMM and central governments to the various newly created regional bodies.
“The manual will clarify the roles, the functions, facilitate proactive monitoring of issues and establish a system of continuity among the mechanisms,” the President said.
The IGRB is established under the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) as a mechanism to thresh out issues relating to the transfer of powers, functions and resources from the national government to the Bangsamoro government, consistent with the goal of enhancing Bangsamoro autonomy.
The BARMM is set to hold its first parliamentary election on May 12, 2025, simultaneous with the country’s midterm elections.
In his speech, Marcos cited the highlights of the third IGRB report on the activation of seven IGR mechanisms, namely, the Philippine Congress-Bangsamoro Parliament Forum; Intergovernmental Fiscal Policy Board; the Joint Body for the Zones of Joint Cooperation; Intergovernmental Infrastructure Development Board; Intergovernmental Energy Board; and Bangsamoro Sustainable Development Board.
The President also noted the creation of the Council of Leaders by Chief Minister Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim, and the integration into the Philippine National Police of 396 former combatants of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Moro National Liberation Front, which was a product of IGRB discussions.
Through the IGRB, the national government has also turned over various properties within the BARMM to the regional government.
Bridging gaps
Earlier, BARMM Education Minister and IGRB cochair Mohagher Iqbal lauded the IGRB’s role “in bridging gaps and implementing the provisions of the BOL.”
“Together, we have relentlessly sought opportunities for greater cooperation and coordination, ensuring the successful realization of our shared vision for peace and progress in the Bangsamoro region,” Iqbal said.
The strong partnership between the national and BARMM governments through the IGRB, he said, is “unquestionably one of the working indicators of the success of the Bangsamoro peace process.”
“The whole world wants to see BARMM as a shining example that peace can be achieved through dialogue and cooperation, and that prosperity comes within reach as peace is achieved,” Pangandaman said. —with a report from Ryan D. Rosauro