A cultural dance presentation during the opening program of the 5th BARMM foundation day commemoration held at Sulu Capitol Gym on January 22. Prior to the program, a motorcade was participated by different ministries, offices, and agencies to kickoff the anniversary celebration in Sulu province. (Alline Jamar Undikan/BIO)
JOLO, Sulu – The 5th foundation anniversary of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) was celebrated with great enthusiasm in Sulu Province as various ministries, offices, and agencies of the region joined the in the festivities.
The celebration, with the theme: “A Journey Towards Mutual Understanding, Peaceful Co-Existence, and a Shared Future in the Bangsamoro,” kicked off in Sulu with a lively motorcade on Monday, Jan 22, featuring a fleet of vehicles carrying distinguished guests, including high-ranking officials. The program proper was held at the Sulu Capitol Gym.
Provincial Administrator Erwin Tan was also present to represent Governor Abdusakur Tan.
Minister of Trade, Investments, and Tourism Abuamri Taddik delivered his message expressing gratitude for the peace and development the region is currently enjoying. He also emphasized the interconnectedness of peace and development, noting they should progress hand in hand.
“Remember, peace and development cannot be separated. Without development, peace is useless as people will still be in chaos. But with the presence of development, chaos in Sulu will become obsolete,” Taddik said in Bahasa Sinug.
On the other hand, Minister of Public Order and Safety Hussein Muñoz also reminded attendees to not forget the martyrs who sacrificed their lives seeking autonomy for the Bangsamoro people.
“[Ang mga shaheed] pasalamatan natin sila [Let us express our gratitude to the martyrs], let us recognize them, let us appreciate them. Let us pray to Allah that may they enter paradise.,” said Muñoz.
The establishment of the BARMM is a result of decades-long peace talks between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), a rebel group that had been fighting for the autonomy and self-determination of the Bangsamoro people.
The Bangsamoro Organic Law was the enabling law for the creation of the BARMM. It was signed into law on July 26, 2018 and a plebiscite then took place on January 21, 2019. The BARMM officially replaced the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) on February 26, 2019.
Monday’s event also included turnover ceremonies for Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index awards to top-performing municipalities and Shared Services Facilities (SSF) to Kankitap Consumer Cooperative (KCC). The activity concluded with buffet lunch.
From January 21-26, the Ministries of Trade, Investments, and Tourism (MTIT) and Public Order and Safety (MPOS) have organized different activities for the weeklong celebration in Sulu. (Alline Jamar Undikan/BIO)
