Gains mark BARMM’s 5th year
COTABATO CITY — Regional agencies celebrated the fifth anniversary of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) with officials citing the gains from its security and economic initiatives.
Records from various sources indicate that BARMM attracted P8.1 billion in investments over the past 18 months, demonstrating positive economic momentum. Local traders contributed up to P5.7 billion from Q3 2019 to 2022, signaling confidence in the region’s potential.
Established in February 2019 through a plebiscite, BARMM replaced the 27-year-old Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao following 22 years of peace talks between Malacañang and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Ahod B. Ebrahim, leader of MILF, now serves as the chief minister of the region.
BARMM’s labor minister, Muslimin G. Sema, emphasized the collaboration between former rebel groups, MNLF and MILF, in managing peace and development programs. – John Felix M. Unson
“Virtually, the BARMM is still an infant but already has something to show for, particularly in terms of the expansion of services to the Moro people, the non-Moro Christians, and the indigenous people in its core territory,” he said.
Members of the 80-seat BARMM parliament, including Deputy Speaker Nabil A. Tan, lawyers Paisalin P. Tago and Suharto M. Ambolodto, and physician-ophthalmologist Kadil M. Sinolinding, Jr., highlighted legislative efforts to enhance commerce and trade in the six Bangsamoro provinces.
“Personally, I believe that the national officials of member-states of the OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) that brokered Malacañang’s separate peace compacts with the MNLF and the MILF are glad seeing how the BARMM government is trying its best to make its six provinces become progressive,” Mr. Tago, also the regional transportation and communications minister, said.
The OIC, which consists of over 50 Muslim states, brokered peace compacts between Malacañang and the MNLF, as well as the MILF.
Major Gen. Alex S. Rillera, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, highlighted the success in maintaining law and order in BARMM and Region 12 provinces. The support of MILF and MNLF officials, now involved in the BARMM parliament or ministries, played a crucial role in achieving these accomplishments.
“That, per se, is one of the dividends of the national government’s peace process with both groups and the existence now of this five-year BARMM regional government,” Mr. Rillera said.
In the past three years, units of the 6th Infantry Division secured the surrender of over 700 members of outlawed groups with the assistance of MILF and MNLF leaders, promoting their reintegration into mainstream society. — John Felix M. Unson