Atty. Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba delivers her inaugural speech as she officially assumes position as the new minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG) on December 7. (Faisal Camsa Jr./BIO)
COTABATO CITY – Lawyer Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba has officially assumed leadership of one of Bangsamoro Government’s biggest ministries, having been designated as the new minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG) by Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim on Thursday, December 7.
During her inaugural address on Thursday, Minister Dumama-Alba expressed her gratitude for the trust placed in her to lead the MILG and gave tribute to the accomplishments of her predecessor, Atty. Naguib Sinarimbo.
“Nagpapasalamat ako. Ang trust, ang salig, ang amanah na naibigay po sa akin para i-lead yung ganito kalaking ministry. […] Humihingi po ako ng kooperasyon at suporta po ninyo,” she said, encouraging cooperation and support within the MILG community.
[I am very thankful. The trust given to me in leading this kind of massive ministry. […] I am asking for your cooperation and support.]
“Malaki po ang respeto ko sa kagalang-galang na dating minister, Atty. Naguib Sinarimbo. Malaki ang naitulong niya sa Bangsamoro Governmentt at sa pamumuno ng MILG. Kayo po ang living testimonies of that,” she added.
[I have immense respect for our honorable former minister, Atty. Naguib Sinarimbo. He made significant contributions to the Bangsamoro Government and to the leadership of MILG. You are the living testimonies of that.]
Senior Minister Abunawas “Von Al-Haq” Maslamama, who was present during the ceremony, highlighted the regularity and inevitability of change and imparted the Government’s utmost support.
In an interview, Minister Alba-Dumama expressed her dedication to personifying empathy and transformative leadership while emphasizing her commitment to a brand of leadership centered on Moral Governance and core values such as professionalism, responsiveness, integrity, competence, and excellence.
She also affirmed her commitment to building upon the foundations laid by the former minister, hoping to steer the MILG to greater heights.
Atty. Marvin Mohammad, MILG director of Internal Affairs Service, conveyed support to the new minister on behalf of the entire staff, stressing that such is necessary in fulfilling the Chief Minister’s 12-Point Priority Agenda.
“The more than 300 employees of the Ministry are in support of you. Kasi alam natin na ang advocacy natin ay matupad yung 12-Point Priority Agenda ni Chief Minister at saka yung Moral Governance, at yun yung pagtutulungan natin,” he mentioned, warmly welcoming her.
[We all know that our advocacy is to fulfill the 12-Point Priority Agenda of the Chief Minister and the Moral Governance, and that’s what we will all be working together for.]
This momentous transition signifies diverse leadership, and with Minister Dumama-Alba steering the wheel, her guidance is poised to leave an indelible mark on the landscape of interior and local government in the region.
Some Members of the Parliament, key officials of the MILG, and family members of Dumama-Alba were also present during Thursday’s ceremony. (Bai Omairah Yusop/BIO)
