MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur – Thousands of stakeholders from various sectors joined the grand parade and opening program on January 22, to commemorate the 5th Bangsamoro Foundation Day in the province.
The morning parade commenced at Marawi City Hall and culminated at the Marawi Convention Center. This venue served as the epicenter for the opening program and hosted several booths offering free essential services and locally-made products for the weeklong celebration.
This year’s BFD celebration in Lanao del Sur were led by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) and Ministry of Human Settlements and Development (MHSD).
Banking on this year’s theme, “A Journey Towards Mutual Understanding, Peaceful Co-Existence, and a Shared Future in the Bangsamoro”, MOTC Minister Atty. Paisalin Tago highlighted the significance of the foundation day.
“We are celebrating this foundation day because first of all, the BARMM was not easily given to us by the national government. With all your help, we were able to achieve this. Second, we are celebrating this to instill patriotism in our hearts,” Tago said.
Mayor Atty. Majul Gandamra of Marawi City reaffirmed his commitment to collaborate with the Bangsamoro Government, stating, “We are committed to working hand in hand with the BARMM Government to ensure the successful implementation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law. We will continue to support initiatives that promote peace, development, and prosperity in our beloved region.”
The opening program featured various activities, including the Ministry of Social Services and Development’s ceremonial payout for indigent orphans under the Kupkop Program, and Project TABANG’s (Tulong Alay sa Bangsamorong Nangangailangan) distribution of free medicines, health kits, and food packs.
A range of comprehensive free medical services courtesy of the Ministry of Health and Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) was also offered throughout the weeklong celebration.
On the same day, the MHSD turned over a newly built one-storey youth development training center located in Masiu., while the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) distributed e-Kiosks to school libraries and tablets to its scholars in the province.
MOTC Minister Tago also awarded 1.5 million worth of healthcare support services to the IPHO.
Throughout the week, the municipalities also organized their own activities to extend BARMM’s programs and services to those unable to attend the convention center.
MHSD Minister Atty. Hamid Aminodin Barra left a significant reminder to the stakeholders about the core elements of being a Bangsamoro, stating, “When we say ‘Bangsamoro,’ there are three things that we should remember – our identity, our territory, and our autonomy. We are here to remember that on January 21, 2019, BARMM was created, which gave us these three very important things.” (Norjana Malawi/BIO)
