The newly-furnished and expanded building of the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG) shall house the regional digital data center to improve public service accessibility in BARMM. (Photo courtesy of MILG)
COTABATO CITY—In a significant leap toward embracing the digital age, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) unveiled the newly-furnished and expanded Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG) building.
Photo by Benyamen Cabuntalan/BIO
This state-of-the-art facility, inaugurated on Oct 10, 2023, now serves as the home for a regional digital data center poised to revolutionize public service accessibility.
MILG Minister Atty. Naguib Sinarimbo said this expansion was driven by the increasing number of personnel within the ministry.
With a vision to expedite services for the people of BARMM, this modernized facility aims to accommodate more dedicated personnel in a bid to meet the ever-growing demands of the region.
According to Sinarimbo, the building will house the new digital center for the Bangsamoro Government, where online services offered by various ministries and local government units in partnership with the MILG will be readily accessible to the constituents.
He further elaborated, stating, “We’ve provided space for the part of the localizing e-governance for accelerated provision of services for all of the local government units to the different ministries of the region. We need to have a permanent data storage for BARMM.”
This ambitious undertaking isn’t one BARMM takes lightly. To ensure the success of this initiative, BARMM entered into a significant partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The UNDP is set to provide essential machinery, equipment, and systems that will effectively manage data storage for the entire region.
Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim underscored the importance of the MILG building’s inauguration, highlighting that it’s a pivotal step toward ensuring the residents of BARMM have seamless access to services offered by the MILG and local government units.
Ebrahim expressed, “This also ensures to create an environment for the workforce of the ministry to foster innovation and inclusivity, ensuring that our public servants can excel in their roles and that the Bangsamoro people receive our services in a more accessible and responsive manner.”
He added with pride, “Indeed, this building will serve as a hub of progress, a symbol of our unwavering dedication to the Bangsamoro people and a testament to our collective vision for a better future.”
The expansion and refurbishment of the building had an approved budget of approximately Php15 million, an investment that aligns with the Ministry’s mission to offer cutting-edge service.
What makes this project particularly remarkable is its homage to the history and traditions of the Bangsamoro people.
Photo by MILG
Photo by MILG
The architectural design beautifully incorporates Islamic features, emphasizing the rich cultural heritage of the region.
This new MILG building stands as a testament to BARMM’s dedication to advancing public service and embracing the digital era, ultimately ensuring that its citizens enjoy a brighter, more accessible future.
With this groundbreaking facility, the region is indeed taking a giant leap toward digital progress. (Majid Nur/BIO)
