DAVAO CITY – President Rodrigo Duterte assured the national government’s full support to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), as the autonomous region celebrated on Thursday the second anniversary of the ratification of the Organic Law establishing the region.
“As I have promised during the early part of my term, we have laid the groundwork for lasting peace and progress in Mindanao. Two years ago, we have reached this milestone, the realization of our commitment to foster enduring peace and stability in the Bangsamoro,” he said in a congratulatory message Malacanang sent to the BARMM.
He said his administration would uphold its commitment to support self-determination, uphold human rights, and advance social welfare in the Bangsamoro region.
He said he has issued a “marching order” to all relevant national government agencies to provide assistance to the BARMM as the region “is faced with many daunting challenges aggravated by the Covid-19 pandemic”.
“We also recognize the significant assistance being provided to the BARMM by the Department of Finance, the Civil Service Commission, and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process as well as other national government agencies,” he added.
He said he was pleased with how both parties, the national government and the BARMM, strengthened their collaboration during the past two years which he said was “a significant step in achieving meaningful and lasting peace in Mindanao”.
“I would like to congratulate the Intergovernmental Relations Body under the able leadership of its co-chairpersons: BARMM Minister of Basic, Higher and Technical Education Minister [Mohagher] Iqbal and Secretary of Finance Carlos Dominguez for instituting much needed reforms and mechanisms that would foster growth in the BARMM,” he said.
He cited “these noteworthy accomplishments” to include the participation of the BARMM government in the national planning process, the transfer of the management of existing natural reserves and protected areas from the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources to the BARMM and the creation of the Bangsamoro Electoral Office and the regional offices of several national government agencies.
He lauded Chief Minister Murad Ebrahim “for showing exemplary leadership and for your efforts in ensuring that BARMM would achieve meaningful self-governance within the framework of our Constitution and the Bangsamoro Organic Law”.
“We remain as enthusiastic as ever for what the future holds for the Bangsamoro people. Together, let us continue to find common ground in achieving our shared aspirations for economic self-sufficiency, genuine development and lasting peace in our home region of Mindanao,” he added.
Image credits: UNTV via AP