Thousands of residents eagerly receive goods and assistance distributed during the 6th BARMM founding anniversary convergence activity in Maguindanao del Norte. The event brought together various ministries and agencies to deliver vital services and support to the community. (Hambdan Badrudin/BIO)
MAGUINDANAO – Last week, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) celebrated its sixth year of governance with a series of activities aimed at bringing essential services to local communities, including the provinces of Maguindanao del Norte (MDS) and Maguindanao del Sur (MDS).
The celebration included a convergence in Parang, MDN where BARMM officials reflected on the region’s accomplishments over the past six years. Social Services Minister Raissa Jajurie emphasized the milestone, noting, “Ang activity na ito ay ang paggunita ng accomplishments ng BARMM, kung ano na ang narating natin simula noong anim-na-taon na pagkakatatag ng BARMM, especially ngayong patapos na ang transition period.”
“Dahil yun ang misyon ng BTA—ang itawid mula sa ARMM patungo sa isang regular na government,” Jajurie added.
Key figures including Education Minister Mohagher Iqbal, Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister Melanio Ulama, MDN Provincial Governor Abdulraof Macacua represented by Member of Parliament Jamel Macacua, and other stakeholders were present at the activities, reinforcing their support for the continued development in the region.
Key Services Delivered
In Maguindanao del Norte, MSSD’s BCARES program delivered over P58 million in financial aid to key medical facilities and organizations that serve marginalized Bangsamoro communities. This included P45 million to Mercury Drug Corporation in Cotabato City, P10 million to Cotabato Regional Medical Center, P2 million to Iranon District Hospital, and P1 million to Cotabato Sanitarium Hospital.
“Marami na rin tayong nagawa dahil naitatag natin ang burukrasya ng BARMM, nakapag-develop tayo ng mga programa, napalawak ang kakayanan ng ating mga tauhan para mabigyan ng kaukulang serbisyo ang ating mga constituents, at iba pa.” said Jajurie.
MSSD also distributed learning supplies and hygiene kits to daycare learners, prescription eyeglasses to senior citizens, and emergency go-bags to community members.
Meanwhile, a total of 320 public schools and school divisions in Maguindanao del Norte, including Parang Central Elementary School (PCES), received essential educational equipment from the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE).
Esmael Adam, PCES principal with 19 years of service, expressed his gratitude as his school received a desktop computer, printer with bond papers, a wall clock, and a ceiling fan.
“Nagpapasalamat tayo sa Allah dahil binigay niya ang mithiin ng Bangsamoro na magkaroon ng sariling desisyon at ito na yung bunga (ang BARMM),” Adam said.
Minister Iqbal reminded the attendees of the sacrifices made by those who fought for the region’s autonomy, stating, “Naririto kami ngayon upang makapaghatid ng mga serbisyo at alam niyo ba? Ito pong tinatamasa natin ngayon, ito’y kabayaran sa mga pawis, dugo at buhay ng Bangsamoro people—ng mga Mujahideen at ng mga MILF.”
Continued Support for the People
The celebration also involved the MBHTE-Technical Education and Skills Development, which awarded certificates of completion and provided financial allowances to 90 skills scholars in fields such as driving, bookkeeping, dressmaking, and management.
Meanwhile, the Project Tulong Alay sa Bangsamorong Nangangailangan (TABANG) distributed 1,000 sacks of rice (25 kg each) to vulnerable families, and the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs (MIPA) facilitated the tribal membership registration for 128 Indigenous people.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) also provided agricultural inputs, including hybrid corn seeds, fertilizers, and fishing equipment.
“The MDN convergence is a testament to the unity, progress, and collaboration that define our province […] this event underscored our collective commitment to delivering meaningful services, strengthening partnership, addressing challenges, empowering our communities, and fostering development for all,” said MP Macucua, whose office distributed 350 hygiene kits and free ice cream to the children in attendance.
In Maguindanao del Sur, on January 23, a service caravan in Talayan was led by Labor and Employment Minister Muslimin Sema, alongside representatives from other BARMM ministries. “This is part of Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim’s advocacy, to bring the different services to the Bangsamoro communities,” Sema emphasized.
The caravan offered a range of services, including job fairs, rural workers association registration, pre-employment orientation seminars, pre-registration of application on the repatriation program, and the distribution of 10 NEGOKART units to small business owners.
“Sobrang happy po ako kasi makapagsimula na ako magka-business dahil sa tulong ng BARMM, pagpalain Bangsamoro,” shared Norma Usop, 41, a single parent from Barangay Tambunan 1.
MAFAR also distributed 200 bags of hybrid corn seeds, 500 bottles of foliar fertilizer, 20 rolls of nets, 20 sets of freshwater gillnets, 10 units of cooler boxes, 5 units of insulated boxes with 1000L, and 2 sets fish processing and IEC materials.
Free vaccinations for pneumonia and flu were also provided by Ministry of Health (MOH), while the Ministry of Public Order and Safety (MPOS) assisted with firearm licensing and other community services.
In total, over 1,000 individuals in Maguindanao del Sur received 25kg sacks of rice from Project TABANG, and MSSD distributed monthly subsidies to beneficiaries of the Kupkop program.
This series of events highlights the continued dedication of the BARMM government to meet the needs of its people, and the celebrations served as a reminder of the unity and progress achieved over the last six years. (Myrna Tepadan/BIO)
