Marcos reaffirms gov’t commitment to support BARMM

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday reaffirmed the national government’s commitment to help ensure peace and progress in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Marcos made the pronouncement during the ceremonial turnover of the third Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB) progress report in Malacañang.

The progress report, Marcos pointed out, is a “testament” to the partnership between the national government and the BARMM and their commitment to peace and development.

“I reaffirm once again the national government’s unwavering commitment to helping and assisting the Bangsamoro Government in all its endeavors as we continue with this important process not only for Muslim in Danau, not only for the Southern Philippines but for the entire Republic,” Marcos said in his speech.

“Together, let us continue to build a future where peace, progress, and unity prevail. Our collective efforts to bring about positive change for the BARMM and our nation be realized sooner rather than later,” he added.

Marcos urged Budget Secretary and IGRB co-chairperson Mina Pangandaman to expedite finalizing the IGRB Manual of Operations and Resolution of Identified Issues.

The manual, said Marcos, would clarify the roles and functions that facilitate proactive monitoring of issues and establish a system of continuity amongst those mechanisms.

He expressed confidence that the IGRB will continue maximizing the already established mechanisms to identify and resolve issues, especially with the upcoming 2025 BARMM elections.

“I am confident that we are on the right path to building a more peaceful, stable, and prosperous Bangsamoro region as we find solutions to the remaining issues and concerns that still need to be addressed,” he added.

The IGRB was created under Section 2, Article VI of  Bangsamoro Organic Law to coordinate and resolve issues through regular consultation and continuing negotiation in a non-adversarial manner.

It is mandated to exhaust all means to resolve issues brought before it, while unresolved issues shall be elevated to the President through the Chief Minister.