COTABATO CITY—As a result of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Government’s unwavering commitment to sustaining the gains of the region, the transitional government accomplished in 2023 significant programs and projects and rendered relevant services and assistance to Bangsamoro people.
These interventions were primarily focused on spurring economic growth; prioritizing education; expanding public infrastructure; intensifying healthcare and medical support; initiating immediate support for victims of natural and human-induced calamities; empowering Bangsamoro women, children, persons with disabilities (PWDs), indigenous peoples (IPs), and other vulnerable sectors; increasing labor opportunities; improving the implementation of the Bangsamoro peace process; sustaining public order, safety, and security; and approving the BARMM Gov’t’s 2024 budget.
Launched a long-term development plan
The regional government, through the Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA), officially launched the Bangsamoro Development Plan 2023-2028, a 6-year plan that aims to have an empowered, cohesive, and progressive Bangsamoro.
It outlines a comprehensive planning methodology centered on the development agenda and priorities specifically addressing the BARMM’s important challenges.
“Indeed, with our collaborative efforts, we were able to craft a plan that will aid in transforming the Bangsamoro region by identifying durable solutions towards a smooth transition to normalization, sustaining peace, and attaining socioeconomic development in our region,” Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim underscored.
Spurred economic growth and investments
The Bangsamoro Board of Investments (BBOI) reported a significant achievement, attracting a total of P3.1 billion in investments in the third quarter of the fiscal year 2023, generating 1,927 job opportunities.
Further, the Ministry of Trade, Investments, and Tourism (MTIT) also recorded a total of P3,448,510 in investments that opened doors for 19,030 jobs as of September 2023.
Economic activities, such as the Ramadhan Trade Fair 2023, also achieved P16.9 million in sales, which helped boost Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) that participated during the month-long business endeavor, showcasing local products and providing services.
During the third quarter, MTIT also welcomed 558,795 domestic and 1,394 foreign tourists, totaling to 560,189, which increased tourism and boosted the local economy.
Compared to 2022’s record of P16.8 million in revenue, the Polloc Freeport and Eco-Zone (PFEZ) had a total revenue collection of P20.6 million, showing that more port users and investors made PFEZ their port of call.
Moreover, averaging BARMM’s inflation rates from January to November 2023 resulted in 6.35% lower than the region’s inflation rate beginning this fiscal year at 7.8%.
Reached education milestone
For the opening of the school year 2023-2024, the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE) announced that compared to last year’s record, there was a relevant increase of 17% in enrollments. This translates to a total number of 1,258,253 pupils and students enrolled in various public schools, including government-run Madaris (Islamic schools) and community learning centers.
“Our mission is clear—we will continue enrolling children until every classroom is filled with eager learners,” said MBHTE Minister Mohagher Iqbal.
In addition, the Ministry also employed 968 teaching and non-teaching personnel, to wit: 284 elementary and secondary teachers assigned to Lanao del Sur (LDS) I; 177 elementary and secondary teachers alongside eight (8) PARA teachers for LDS II; 409 elementary and secondary teachers; 71 school principals designated for Sulu; and an additional 19 regional personnel.
The MBHTE-Technical Education Skills Development (TESD) also recorded a total of 13,205 scholars as of November 2023 who benefited from its Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET), which covers both community-based and institution-based training programs that seek to address the specific skills needs of the communities and the Bangsamoro region as a whole.
It also promotes employment through entrepreneurial, self-employment, and service-oriented activities.
The beneficiaries were mostly from disadvantaged sectors such as Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) decommissioned combatants and their communities, indigenous peoples (IPs) and indigenous cultural communities (ICCs), informal sector workers, senior citizens, and victims of calamities and disasters, among others.
Expanded BARMM-wide establishment of public infrastructure
From 2020 to 2023, the Bangsamoro Government funded 1,806.53 kilometers of roads, 103 bridges, 212 flood control projects, 281 Level II water systems, 125 slope protection projects, 86 fish ports, and 17,283 housing units, of which 193 are on loan.
The Ministry of Human Settlements and Development (MHSD) has already completed constructing a total of 557 housing units in the BARMM – 157 units in Maguindanao; 250 in Basilan; 100 in Sulu; and 50 in Special Geographic Area (SGA).
A total of 2,036 housing units are still being constructed as of November 2023. They are as follows: 386 in Maguindanao; 650 in Lanao del Sur (LDS); 300 in SGA; 300 in Tawi-Tawi; 150 in Basilan; 200 in Sulu; and 50 outside BARMM.
It also finished establishing a total of nine (9) training centers, of which five (5) are situated in LDS, two (2) in Sulu, and two (2) outside the region, while there are still 22 centers with ongoing constructions.
Further, the Ministry of Interior and Local Government (MILG) distributed a total of 323 barangay halls across the Bangsamoro region. Specifically, there are 24 units in Cotabato City; 56 units in Maguindanao del Norte (MDN); 31 units in Maguindanao del Sur; 93 units in LDS and Marawi City; 62 units in SGA; 15 units in Basilan; 27 units in Sulu; and 15 units in Tawi-Tawi. Sixty-six of these barangay halls were successfully constructed, while 257 are undergoing construction.
MILG also initiated the construction of 32 public markets, with six (6) completed and 26 ongoing; 26 municipal halls with six (6) completed and 20 ongoing; nine (9) municipal police stations with four (4) completed and five (5) ongoing; and three (3) MILG buildings with two (2) completed and one (1) ongoing.
Also constructed were 24 seawater desalination plants with 14 completed and 10 ongoing; 16 solar-powered and electric water systems with two (2) completed and 14 ongoing; two (2) legislative buildings with one (1) completed and one (1) ongoing; 11 community activity centers with five (5) completed and six (6) ongoing; and two (2) regional reformation centers with ongoing construction.
Additionally, there are other ongoing projects, such as six (6) municipal fire stations, two (2) public terminals, one (1) community learning center, one (1) training center, one (1) tourism building and seaport, and one (1) three-phase transmission line.
Based on the sum of the estimated average population per area, a total of 2.4 million BARMM constituents benefited from the Ministry’s infrastructure projects, and there were also 9,683 general labor jobs generated.
Moreover, the Marawi Rehabilitation Program (MRP) reported in November that a cumulative total of 29,884,360 internally displaced persons (IDPs) beneficiaries from the 24 barangays of the most affected areas (MAAs) and one (1) barangay of less affected areas (LAAs) were given support and assistance. A cumulative total of 331 beneficiaries were also provided with construction material assistance.
Transforming the Bangsamoro region into a strategic hub with a robust transportation and communication network, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) now has full control of six (6) BARMM airports, which are situated in Cotabato, Maguindanao; Wao and Malabang, LDS; Jolo, Sulu; Sanga-Sanga and Mapun in Tawi-Tawi.
On December 18, the MOTC, along with other members of the Parliament (MPs), had a ceremonial groundbreaking of major infrastructure development projects that are expected to be available to the public next fiscal year.
Among these are the construction of VIP lounges both at Tawi-Tawi’s Sanga-Sanga Airport and Maguindanao del Norte’s Awang Airport; the installation of solar lights at Jolo and Sanga-Sanga Airports; and the extension of Tawi-Tawi’s airport staff house building.
Aside from this, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform-Philippine Rural Development Project (MAFAR-PRDP) also turned over an 8.36-kilometer farm-to-market road (FMR) to the municipal local government unit of Lugus, Sulu, which started providing a faster and safer route for the local farmers to transport their produce and farm goods in the province’s different markets.
Further, MAFAR-PRDP also received on Nov. 6 a certificate from the Department of Agriculture (DA)-PRDP signifying the proposed concreting of Brgy. Bacayawan-Pagalongan-Mapantao-Dinganun FMR in the municipality of Sultan Dumalondong, Lanao del Sur.
The Ministry of Public Works (MPW) also completed a 3.2-km FMR in Brgy. Matumaig, Datu Unsay Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur, ensuring an increase in income for the local farmers and reinforcing the quality of life. On MPW’s Facebook page, it was mentioned that this FMR is also a product of the BARMM Gov’t’s peace interventions.
“This road, stretching through challenging mountainous terrain, is not just a symbol of progress but also a testament to the transformative power of peacebuilding efforts in a region marked by years of conflict between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Philippine military,” the Ministry said.
Intensified medical support for Bangsamoro families with meager income
BARMM Gov’t has also strengthened its commitment to providing medical assistance and services to its indigent constituents.
As of November 2023, a total of 111,790 patients, a significant increase from last year’s 38,237 summated individuals catered to, had received medical support from the Ayudang Medical mula sa Bangsamoro Government (AMBaG) since December 2019, amounting to P624,886,577 in financial aid.
It is worth emphasizing that 76%, or 85,063 families, went home with zero-bill status for availing medical help from the AMBaG.
Additionally, the Project Tulong Alay sa Bangsamorong Nangangailangan (TABANG), through its Health Ancillary Unit, addressed the medical needs of 97,547 beneficiaries in the region as of September 2023.
To strengthen the health workforce in different barangays, municipalities, and cities in the region, the Ministry of Health (MOH) as of 2023’s third quarter rehired and deployed 619 nurses, 114 midwives, 11 dentists, three (3) nutritionist-dietitians, and three (3) physical therapists.
There were also 10 hired and deployed physicians in different level 1 and 2 hospitals in the BARMM and retained 42 human resources for health (HRH) doctors to the barrios (DTTBs).
On the other hand, the BARMM-Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence (READi) also recorded 483 regular patients and 400 cadavers that were transported through the office’s transport service.
This initiative has not only mobilized within the BARMM but also reached cities outside the core territories of the Bangsamoro region, such as Surigao City and Zamboanga City.
Initiated immediate support for victims of natural and human-induced calamities
For the past 12 months, the BARMM-READi has recorded a total of 103 quick response team (QTR) dispatches to instantly aid disaster victims. This report showed a significant deployment increase of 145.24%, compared to last year’s 42 deployments.
The BARMM-READi also made 410,175 relief goods available to families affected by floods, armed conflict, and other emergency incidents.
Likewise, Project TABANG as of September 2023 aided a total of 74,419 beneficiaries in the Bangsamoro region who received food assistance, hygiene and emergency kits, as well as kitchenware sets, among others.
Also, the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) in the third quarter of 2023 provided timely and appropriate life-saving support to 68,331 households that were victims of natural and human-induced disasters.
Continued fight against malnutrition in BARMM
To address the prevalent food insecurity and malnutrition in the BARMM, the BPDA officially launched the Bangsamoro Food Security and Nutrition Plan (BFSNP) 2023–2028, which aims at ensuring a self-reliant, food-secure, and resilient Bangsamoro.
It outlines the Bangsamoro Government’s strong aspiration to materialize its programs, projects, and services with coherent mechanisms to fight against hunger and food scarcity.
“The current government is committed to ensuring that the programs and services offered by the autonomous government remain on track in its efforts to end malnutrition, especially among children,” CM Ebrahim stressed.
Increased employment opportunities and livelihood assistance
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the BARMM’s labor force participation rate (LFPR) was 74% in October 2023, which implies that there are more socio-economic opportunities available in the region.
For the past four years since the pandemic struck, the Ministry of Labor and Employment (MOLE) has recorded a total of 7,000 informal sector workers who were provided with emergency employment, and 6,400 former Overseas Bangsamoro Workers (OBWs) and 375 organized informal sector workers who were all provided with livelihood assistance, among others.
Championed Bangsamoro women and girls’ welfare
In empowering women’s rights and security, the BARMM unveiled on October 5 the 2nd BARMM Regional Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security (RAPWPS) 2023-2028, which aims to address the various needs of women by promoting their protection toward achieving lasting peace and gender equality in the region.
Bangsamoro Women Commission (BWC) Chairperson Bainon Karon underlined the relevant contributions of women in charting the pathways toward a progressive Bangsamoro.
“There can be no genuine, just, and sustainable peace and development without the meaningful inclusion and participation of women in conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and governance in the region,” Karon stated during the launch of the RAPWPS.
Additionally, the launch of the following inter-agency interventions invested in eradicating violence against women (VAW) in the BARMM and appropriately addressing real-time violence cases took place on Dec. 12, to wit: Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Guidance Note on GBV Prevention and Response; Child Protection-GBV Referral Pathway; and BWC Policy Research Outputs.
Also, the BWC, MSSD, MILG, MOH, Bangsamoro Human Rights Commission (BHRC), and the Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Office in BARMM signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to end VAW and all other forms of gender-based discrimination in the Bangsamoro region.
The BHRC also finished crafting the BARMM’s Gender Ombud guidelines, which mainly act as a mechanism for giving access to legal remedies for women, promoting their rights, investigating violations of such rights, and monitoring the implementation of gender and development interventions in the Bangsamoro government.
Prioritized Bangsamoro children, older persons, and PWDs’ welfare
The MSSD has saved a total of 3,000 children engaged in child labor and subsequently provided them with livelihood and educational assistance.
In the third quarter of 2023, there were a total of 3,135 poor and vulnerable children and youth with increased access to social protection services, improved levels of well-being, reduced vulnerabilities, and empowered to claim their rights.
Moreover, there were 34,453 vulnerable and indigent PWDs were provided with increased access to social protection interventions that addressed their immediate needs to unlock their full potential.
On. Nov. 3, the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD-XII) Center for the Handicapped was officially turned over to MSSD, making assistive devices, referrals for specialized treatments, access to livelihood and educational assistance, and other programs available for the Bangsamoro PWDs.
“We can now ensure that the Bangsamoro Government has the facility and capacity to execute its mandate of providing opportunities for PWDs to contribute to the community just as capable, if not more so, as those who are not categorized as such,” MSSD Minister Atty. RaissaJajurie stressed.
Provided avenues for advancing IPs’ rights
To provide a space for the indigenous communities to exercise their juridical rights, the Ministry of the Indigenous Peoples’ Affair (MIPA) spearheaded the crafting of the Indigenous Political Structure of IPs/ICCs in the BARMM.
This initiative allows the IP communities to select their leaders based on their existing systems.
Moreover, the Ministry provided legal services to other members of the communities in different parts of the Bangsamoro region, aimed at adopting measures for the protection of their rights.
Not only did MIPA help in fostering the rights of the IPs and ICCs, but it also conducted socio-economic education through seminars about cooperatives to uplift the latter’s living conditions and strengthen their financial literacy.
Improved Bangsamoro peace process
On Nov. 3, the Third-Party Monitoring Team (TMPT) shared progress in the implementation of the Government of the Philippines-Moro Islamic Liberation Front (GPH-MILF) peace accords during its 8th Public Report Release, primarily highlighting the political and normalization tracks of the Bangsamoro peace process, covering the period from February 2022 to October 2023.
Peace accords’ political track has reached midway through implementation process
Based on the TMPT’s report, the political track is at 50% of its implementation process.
In 2023, two priority codes were enacted by the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament, such as the Bangsamoro Electoral Code (BEC) and the Bangsamoro Local Governance Code (BLGC), reaching five (5) out of seven (7) priority codes approved as of writing. Presently, the Bangsamoro Revenue Code is in its finalization stage.
The Parliament also approved bills that established eight (8) municipalities comprising the 63 Special Geographic Area (SGA) barangays in the province of North Cotabato that joined the BARMM during the plebiscite in 2019.
Moreover, the Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB) activated on Nov. 9 the seven (7) mechanisms that shall serve as the basis for all laws and policies enacted by the BTA Parliament in pursuit of moving the peace process forward.
The mechanisms include the Philippine Congress-Bangsamoro Parliament Forum (PCBFF), Intergovernmental Fiscal Policy Board (IFPB), Joint Body for the Zones of Joint Cooperation (JBZJC), Intergovernmental Infrastructure Development Board (IFPB), Intergovernmental Energy Board (IEB), Bangsamoro Sustainable Development Board (BSDB), and the Council of Leaders (COL).
Aside from this, all factions of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) are now represented in the Parliament, resulting in meaningful self-governance in the Bangsamoro region.
PBBM’s amnesty grant advances the normalization track
Following President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s (PBBM) granting of amnesty, under Proclamation Nos. 405 and 406, the former rebels are expected to receive socio-economic support as part of the normalization track of the GPH-MILF peace agreement, which plays a crucial role in transforming the combatants into productive and peace-loving Filipino citizens.
Former MILG Minister Atty. Naguib Sinarimbo also said, “This will finally free our former combatants and MILF and MNLF command leaders from the shackles of the past that prevent them from genuinely and fully reaping the benefits of the peace dividends.”
According to the Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB), the decommissioning of the MILF combatants in its third phase was already complete. As of October 2023, the total number of decommissioned combatants is now at 26,132, while the firearms in the IDB stand at 4,625.
Based on the TPMT’s report, the MILF has yet to provide the list for the fourth and final phase, which is necessary to reach the targeted number of 40,000 decommissioned combatants and 7,000 weapons.
Regarding the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Bangsamoro Gov’t and the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM), there were also updates for the conduct of the NAPOLCOM Special Qualifying Eligibility Examination (NSQEE).
Out of 11,075 applicants last year, 7,145 successfully passed. In the current year, 400 slots were announced as a recruitment quota for MILF and MNLF.
As of August 2023, 102 recruits (52 from the MILF and 50 from the MNLF) took their oath as officers of the PNP-Regional Office in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO BAR).
Sustained BARMM’s public order, safety, and security
The Ministry of Public Order and Safety (MPOS) reported that their efforts in settling family feuds resulted in a total of 309 settled cases, with over 607 rido cases profiled.
In protecting the human rights of the Bangsamoro, the BHRC provided 6,163 legal aid and counseling services.
Furthermore, the anti-drug operations and advocacy campaigns of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) from 2020–2023 resulted in a total of 1,023 drug-cleared barangays in the BARMM.
Likewise, at least 102 local government units (LGUs) have a functional Anti-Drug Abuse Council (ADAC).
Approved BARMM’s 2024 budget
The BTA Parliament approved on Dec. 21 the P98.4 billion BARMM budget for the fiscal year 2024 from this year’s P85.3 billion budget, making a 15.36% increase compared to the latter.
As emphasized, the 2024 budget mainly caters to prioritizing the social services, healthcare, infrastructure, and education sectors.
CM Ebrahim underlined that the budget allocation is for transparent and concrete results of the Government of the Day’s unending efforts to uphold a transformative BARMM.
“To Bangsamoro, this budget is for you. It was crafted to ensure that we all reap the fruits of a long-time struggle,” the Chief Minister emphasized. (Johamin Inok/BIO)
