BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi – The weeklong celebratory festivities on the 5th Bangsamoro Foundation Day commenced in Tawi-Tawi with a lively motorcade on Jan. 22, featuring participants from BARMM ministries and offices, and other stakeholders.
The Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD), headed by Minister Raissa Jajurie, led the anniversary celebration in Tawi-Tawi.
During the opening program, Minister Jajurie shared the significant history of BARMM, highlighting its advancements and achievements over the past 5 years. She emphasized that while the Bangsamoro Government is already making strides there is a commitment to achieving even more.
“As we celebrate the BARMM foundation anniversary, we try to reach out to all the constituent units of the Bangsamoro Government. We hope to collaborate and work (with) the local government units not only at the provincial level but also at the municipal level,” Jajurie said.
“In the coming years we will be working more together because of the upcoming devolution. We look forward to that journey as we strengthen the municipal, provincial, and regional government,” she added.
Additionally, Jajurie announced collaborations, including the partnership of MSSD and Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) for the former’s Bangsamoro Critical Assistance for Indigents in Response to Emergency Situations (B-CARES) Program, and agreements with private diagnostic centers for services beyond IPHO, funded by MSSD. Memoranda of agreement were signed with the respective heads to formalize these collaborations.
Mohammad Yacob, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform, was also present during the event. In his short message, he called for the significance of unity and mutual understanding for building a more abundant and sustainable community.
Various BARMM ministries and offices established booths, help desks, and tents at the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE) gymnasium, to provide their free services to the public during the festivity. The weeklong activities culminated in simultaneous parades across municipalities, organized by the MBHTE.
With the 5-day joyous celebration, the people of Tawi-Tawi gained confidence in their partnership with BARMM, working together for a more inclusive Moral Governance. Although the celebration concluded, the journey continues toward a promising future. (Laila Aripin/BIO)
