THE National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) said on Monday that the national government will extend an “annual block grant” to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
In a speech, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia said this block grant will amount to a total of P50 billion in the next 10 years, or P5 billion annually.
This year, Pernia said the 5- percent automatic share of the Bangsamoro government in the national internal revenue tax collections will reach around P70 billion.
“A special development fund amounting to a total of P50 billion, or P5 billion per year for 10 years, is allocated for the rebuilding, rehabilitation, and development of conflict-affected communities,” Pernia said. “Subsidies for development and infrastructure-related expenditure are guaranteed by the national government for the next 5 years,” he added.
Apart from funding, Pernia said the challenges of the BARMM will be met through its 12-point priority agenda for the transition period of 2020-2022.
He said under the agenda, the government aims to help BARMM obtain longer-term partnerships and cooperation with the private sector. This will be done once development plans are integrated and harmonized.
Pernia said the government is also committed to rehabilitate Marawi City and nearby municipalities affected by the conflict.
The Bangon Marawi Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Program include programs, projects, and activities to be implemented from 2018 to 2022, with total investment requirement amounting to P60.51 billion.
One of the biggest nongovernment projects implemented is the construction of 3,500 permanent housing units by San Miguel Corp. and the UN Habitat with an estimated cost of P1.93 billion.
“We assure you that the government is committed to meeting the overall goal of the Bangon Marawi. Our aim is for Marawi City and surrounding communities to coexist in peace and become vibrant, productive, and resilient to risks of conflict and other disasters, with culture integrated into the country’s socioeconomic development,” Pernia said.
“All our eyes are now on the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The region has so much potential to be unlocked and we are excited to see all our combined efforts come to fruition,” he added.