In 2024, under the leadership of Chief Minister Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim’s, the Bangsamoro Government took notable accomplishments in addressing the region’s most pressing challenges—delivering housing for displaced families, enhancing education for over a million learners, and driving economic growth through livelihood interventions and record-breaking investments.
These efforts coincide with findings from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), which reported on Aug. 15, 2024 that BARMM is no longer the poorest region in the Philippines. The region’s poverty incidence significantly declined from 52.6 percent in 2018 to 23.5 percent in 2023.
Building on these significant socio-economic improvements, the Bangsamoro Government made significant strides across various sectors in 2024. Below are some of the key milestones and achievements that highlight the region’s ongoing development and progress.
Education Milestone
The Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE) improved education access by hiring 4,962 permanent employees, including 4,228 teachers. In the 2023-2024 school year, 1,102,914 students enrolled in K-12 and Alternative Learning, with an additional 28,993 in the Alternative Learning System (ALS).
Additionally, 15,090 students graduated from technical-vocational programs. Through the Abot Kaalaman sa Pamilyang Bangsamoro (AKAP) Program, 7,676 children in remote areas accessed learning via Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM)
The AHME Scholarship Program supported 4,200 students with P60,000 per semester, while the Ministry of Social Services and Development’s (MSSD) ABaKa Program helped 17,285 indigent learners. School transportation was improved with buses in Cotabato, Marawi, and Lamitan, and speedboats for Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.
Healthcare Expansion
The Ministry of Health (MOH) remained steadfast in providing accessible healthcare services through its diverse programs.
To help the Ministry serve more indigent patients, the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament has approved the establishment of four new hospitals across three provinces in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The new hospitals will be established in South Ubian, Tawi-Tawi, Masiu, Lanao del Sur, as well as Datu Blah T. Sinsuat, and Northern Kabuntalan, Maguindanao del Norte.
Meanwhile, as of October, Project Tulong Alay sa Bangsamorong Nangangailangan (TABANG) provided medical support to 67,428 beneficiaries, while Ayudang Medikal Mula sa Bangsamoro Government (AMBAG) ensured zero-balance hospital billing for 167,902 patients.
The MSSD’s Bangsamoro Critical Assistance in Response to Emergency Situations (BCARES) program also helped 28, 076 indigent beneficiaries with hospitalization, medical, and burial assistance.
Disaster Response and Environment Protection
In 2024, the Bangsamoro Government focused on disaster response and environmental protection. The MSSD’s Emergency Assistance Program aided 170,629 displaced families, while the Paghahanda at Pabaon program provided cash support to 10,721 families.
Project TABANG assisted 195,180 households affected by crises, and 952 families received emergency shelter help. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) allocated over P154.4 million in aid to 30,891 farmers and fishers affected by drought. After Typhoon Carina, Ministry of Human Settlements and Development (MHSD) distributed emergency supplies to 1,191 beneficiaries.
On environmental protection, the Ministry of Environment (MENRE) conducted geological mapping in 22 LGUs and protected 398,694 hectares of forestland. The Bangsamoro Urban Forest for Ecological Restoration (BUFFER) program planted 507,625 seedlings, and the Integrated Bangsamoro Greening Program (IBGP) reforested 1,212 hectares.
Additionally, the BTA Parliament passed the “Rights of Internally Displaced Persons of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region Act of 2024,” a landmark law to protect IDPs’ rights.
Economic Growth and Livelihood Development
In 2024, economic growth and livelihood development were key priorities for BARMM.
The MSSD’s Unlad Pamilyang Bangsamoro Program supported 14,244 families, while 259,390 households received conditional cash grants through the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
Project TABANG provided livelihood aid to 320 cooperatives, and the Ministry of Labor and Employment (MOLE) facilitated work opportunities for 9,300 graduates. It also introduced labor reforms, including a new minimum wage order and programs to support informal sector workers.
The Ministry of Trade, Investments, and Tourism (MTIT) worked on the Bangsamoro Halal Industry Development Plan (BHIDP) 2024-2029 and boosted economic activity with the successful Ramadhan Trade Fair, generating P19.6 million.
The Bangsamoro Board of Investments (BBOI) surpassed its investment target by securing P4.7 billion and approved four new investments worth PHP 390.8 million, creating 382 jobs.
Additionally, the Bangsamoro Telecommunications Commission (BTC) reported a 53% revenue increase, reflecting improved governance and regulatory efficiency.
Housing and Resettlement
The MHSD completed 1,107 housing units under its Resettlement Housing Program, benefiting former combatants, displaced individuals, and marginalized communities. This marked a 330% increase in completed units from the previous year.
Additionally, the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) provided permanent shelters to 235 families through its Bahay Program.
Outstanding BARMM LGUs Get National Recognition
A total of 29 Local Government Units (LGUs) from BARMM received national recognition at the 2024 Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) Awarding Ceremony for their excellence in governance and service delivery.
Among the awardees were three LGUs from Basilan, four from Lanao del Sur, eight from Maguindanao del Norte, and fourteen from Maguindanao del Sur. Maguindanao del Sur was also recognized as one of the top provinces in the country for governance.
Infrastructure Development
The Ministry of Public Works (MPW) completed over 1,100 kilometers of roads, 43 bridges, 281 water systems, and 124 drainage projects by mid-2024, improving mobility, water access, and flood management.
The region also saw upgrades to 61 ports, the installation of more than 10,000 solar-powered streetlights, and the completion of 159 multi-purpose buildings, 86 covered courts, and 97 warehouses.
Additionally, Ministry of Human Settlement and Development (MHSD) built 26 training centers across the region to support skill development and community infrastructure.
No Bangsamoro Left Behind
In 2024, the Bangsamoro Government prioritized inclusive welfare programs for marginalized groups. The MSSD’s Kalinga para sa may Kapansanan initiative provided P500 monthly allowances to 35,075 persons with disabilities (PWDs) and offered assistive devices and services to 1,321 indigent PWDs and senior citizens.
The Social Pension Program supported 173,408 senior citizens with monthly subsidies, and 2,175 received Hadiya Care Packages. Twenty centenarians were honored with P100,000 cash gifts.
The MSSD’s Demand-driven and Adaptive Key actions for Indigent Solo Parents in Leveraging their Aspirations (DAKILA) Program assisted 2,179 solo parents with P1,000 monthly aid, while the Kupkop Program provided monthly allowances to 1,486 orphaned children to support their education.
Initiatives for Women, Children, and Youth
The Bangsamoro Government launched initiatives to empower women, children, and youth. Over 3,000 women benefited from the MSSD’s Women’s Welfare Program, which offered training and support.
The government also focused on child protection and gender-based violence (CP-GBV), conducting education campaigns with agencies like the Philippine National Police and the Bangsamoro Women’s Commission.
In addressing the nutritional needs of children, the government provided meals and food rations to 72,028 daycare children this year through the Supplementary Feeding Program. The Bangsamoro Youth Commission (BYC) organized programs like the Peace and Environmental Youth Camp, the Bangsamoro Youth Parliament 2025, and forums for out-of-school youth to engage them in regional issues.
Support to Indigenous Peoples
The Bangsamoro Government has taken important steps to support the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) of the region through targeted programs and legislative efforts.
The MSSD’s Layag Bajau Program provided 2,000 Bajau families with social intervention packages aimed at improving access to livelihood and education. Additionally, the MSSD’s Free Birth Registration Program helped 1,377 unregistered IPs obtain free birth certificates this year to facilitate their legal recognition and access to essential services.
IP Code Enactment
A major development for the IPs in BARMM came with the passage of the Bangsamoro Indigenous Peoples’ Act (BIPA) of 2024, also known as the IP Code, by the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) on Dec. 10.
This legislation strengthens self-determination and self-governance among IP communities, recognizing their rights to ancestral lands, cultural preservation, and autonomy. The IP Code is the sixth priority code enacted by the interim government during the transition period.
Advocating for Peace and Human Rights
The Bangsamoro Government has worked to promote peace and human rights through several initiatives. The Ministry of Public Order and Safety (MPOS) resolved 92 clan feud (rido) cases and trained 1,581 vulnerable individuals, including combatants, widows, and orphans, as part of its peacebuilding efforts.
The MOLE continued its work to eliminate child labor through the Bangsamoro Child Labor Sagip Program.
The Bangsamoro Human Rights Commission (BHRC) resolved 167 cases, provided legal aid to over 2,100 clients, and supported 30 victims financially. The Regional Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council offered social interventions to 57 children in conflict with the law, while the MSSD’s HATID Program safely returned 1,433 distressed individuals, and its Recovery and Reintegration Program assisted 341 trafficking survivors.
Sustained Rehabilitation Efforts in Marawi
The Marawi Rehabilitation Program (MRP) continued to focus on housing, infrastructure, and essential services for internally displaced persons (IDPs).
As of 2024, 56 key projects have been implemented, with 58,767 beneficiaries validated. Over 60% of them are making progress toward recovery. The Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) provided social protection assistance to 24,925 families to support their rebuilding efforts.
E-Governance and Digital Literacy
The Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG) advanced e-Governance through the LeAPS Program, improving service delivery in Bangsamoro LGUs via the Digital Bangsamoro Web Portal and e-Services.
The Bangsamoro Information and Communications Technology Office (BICTO) promoted digital literacy with 31 training sessions, benefiting nearly 600 participants.
These sessions covered skills such as multimedia design, robotics, social media marketing, and Microsoft Office 365, empowering local communities with practical, technology-driven skills.
Bangsamoro Parliament Approves P94.41B Budget for 2025
On Dec. 10, 2024, the Bangsamoro Parliament approved a P94.41 billion budget for the 2025 Bangsamoro Expenditure Program (BEP), focusing on sectors like education, infrastructure, health, and social services, which are vital for the region’s development. Key allocations include P32.14 billion for the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education, P11.43 billion for the Ministry of Public Works, P7.43 billion for the Ministry of Health, and P3.84 billion for the Ministry of Social Services and Development.
A day after the approval, Chief Minister Ebrahim and Parliament Speaker Atty. Pangalian Balindong signed the bill into law as the Bangsamoro Autonomy Act (BAA) No. 65, or the General Appropriations Act of the Bangsamoro (GAAB) for Fiscal Year 2025.
“This might be the final appropriations bill that we pass as a transition government […] Let us use this opportunity to leave a lasting imprint of transparency, inclusivity, and responsive, moral governance for the betterment of our Bangsamoro Government and the public we serve,” the Chief Minister stated.
Although Sulu is excluded from the Bangsamoro region, the 2025 budget includes provisions for its inclusion to ensure continuous service delivery.
The Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB) has pledged a seamless transition for Sulu following the Supreme Court’s decision to exclude the province from the BARMM.
At its 21st meeting held on Dec. 11, Co-Chairs Bangsamoro Education Minister Mohagher Iqbal and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman assured continued government services and an orderly turnover to the national government.
“Our efforts must ensure the people of Sulu remain strongly connected to the overarching vision of peace and self-determination,” said Minister Iqbal, highlighting the importance of preserving Sulu’s Bangsamoro identity while facilitating its transition. (Norjana Malawi/BIO)
