The 21st IGRB meeting attended and witnessed by members from both sides, high-ranking officials or cabinet secretaries from the National government, and members of the BARMM parliament including key officials from Ministries, Offices, and agencies in the Bangsamoro government on Dec. 11, in Manila. (Marhom Ibrahim/BIO)
MANILA—Members of the Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB) have pledged to ensure a smooth transition following the Supreme Court’s final and executory decision on Sulu’s exclusion from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
The commitment was made during the 21st IGRB meeting held in this metro city on Dec. 11, here.
The IGRB Co-Chairs, Bangsamoro Education Minister Mohagher Iqbal and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, affirmed their cooperation to facilitate the orderly turnover of Sulu to the national government without disrupting government services.
Minister Iqbal highlighted the importance of preserving Sulu’s connection to the Bangsamoro identity.
“Our efforts must ensure the people of Sulu remain strongly connected to the overarching vision of peace and self-determination,” he said.
He added, “The immediate next step for the IGRB, therefore, is to focus on facilitating a smooth and gradual transition of Sulu to the national government.”
Secretary Pangandaman echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the IGRB’s commitment to continuity.
“We in the IGRB have a clear stand for Sulu, and that is to ensure an uninterrupted government operation amid this transition period,” she stated.
Attending the IGRB meeting for the first time, Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan expressed his commitment to respecting the Supreme Court’s ruling. He urged the IGRB to prioritize service continuity during the transition period.
“I am calling upon the Bangsamoro and the National Governments not to suppress any of the basic services in Sulu before the transition period,” Tan appealed, underscoring the importance of ensuring that no Bangsamoro province is left behind, even in times of transition.
Tan also emphasized the urgent need to strengthen education in Sulu by hiring more permanent teachers and constructing additional school buildings.
Finance, and Budget and Management Minister Atty. Ubaida Pacasem reported that Sulu’s programs, activities, projects, and services (PAPS) and other operating expenses have already been included in BARMM’s recently approved budget for Fiscal Year 2025.
Meanwhile, Labor and Employment Minister Muslimin Sema suggested exploring political avenues to allow Sulu to remain part of BARMM. (Kasan Usop, Jr./BIO)
