BARMM Spokesperson Mohd Asnin Pendatun reports significant milestones in the region on July 20, 2024 during the Saturday News Forum in Manila. (Marhom Ibrahim/BIO)
MANILA—Bangsamoro Spokesperson Mohd Asnin Pendatun stated in a press briefing on Saturday, July 20, here that the autonomy granted to the Bangsamoro and efforts to sustain peace and security are catalysts for progress and development in the region.
Pendatun, who is also the region’s cabinet secretary, provided a brief overview of the significant strides of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Government since its inception in 2019. The briefing, Saturday News Forum, was hosted by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).
Highlighting various milestones, Pendatun said, “Ito po ay isa sa mga manifestations na the autonomy [that was] granted to the BARMM is the right track to take.”
The report also included significant milestones during the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (PBBM). This update came just before the President delivered his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday afternoon.
One of the major points in the BARMM report was the preparations for the first regional parliamentary elections in 2025 through the enactment of the Bangsamoro Electoral Code (BEC), which is expected to pave the way for fair and transparent elections in the region.
To date, the region’s legislative body has enacted 24 priority codes for 2023, including the BEC and laws creating eight new municipalities in the Special Geographic Area (SGA), fulfilling the promise to PBBM to expedite legislation.
Pendatun stated that the extended transition period under the Marcos administration provided the “much-needed” opportunity for the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) to complete the remaining transitory priorities before the 2025 regional parliamentary elections.
Among other milestones discussed were the spurred economic growth investments, which have reached about P3.5 billion since the start of 2024, surpassing the target for this year by 42 percent and exceeding the total P3.1 billion worth of investments in 2023.
In addition to progress in social, medical, and health services, balanced education, strategic infrastructures, and peace and security, Pendatun mentioned a significant decrease in the poverty rate in BARMM.
Data shows that the poverty incidence in 2018 was 55.9 percent. After five years since BARMM’s inception in 2019, there has been a double-digit reduction in poverty, with a 34 percent decrease in 2023.
“In 2018, poverty incidence in BARMM was at 55.9 percent among families. That year, the majority of the families in BARMM were considered poor. But in 2021, the time of the Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao, we were able to reduce the 55.9 percent to only 39 percent. We are the only region that was able to achieve a double-digit poverty reduction,” he said.
Addressing Challenges
Pendatun acknowledged that low literacy rate in the region and rotational power interruptions, which affect incoming investors, remain challenges for the Government of the Day.
However, he assured that the government continues to address these issues. Currently, approximately 700 new classrooms are being constructed and 500 existing ones are being repaired across the region to accommodate the growing student population.
Additionally, the region is working to find solutions to address power interruptions, which are a common issue for investors as it significantly impacts the sustainability of their businesses.
Pendatun expressed hope that the Government of the Day will resolve these challenges. (Aisah Abas/BIO)
