PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday directed the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to fast-track the finalization of inter-governmental mechanisms that would hasten the complete autonomy of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
The President ordered speeding up the Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB) Manual of Operations, the backbone of support from the central government to the various newly created regional bodies of the BARMM.
The President stressed that sustaining and ensuring the progress built should continue to be resilient amid political transitions, especially with the upcoming Bangsamoro elections.
“With the forthcoming elections, I urge the Department of Budget and Management Secretary and Co-Chair of the IGRB to expedite the finalization of the IGRB manual of operations and resolution of identified issues,” the President said during the ceremonial turnover of the 3rd Progress Report of the National Government – Bangsamoro Government IGRB in Malacañang.
“The manual will clarify the roles, the functions, facilitate proactive monitoring of issues, and establish a system of continuity among the mechanisms,” he added.
The BARMM is set to hold its first Bangsamoro Parliament election on May 12 next year, along with the conduct of the national mid-year elections.
The third IGRB report highlights the activation of the seven IGR mechanisms, including the Philippine Congress-Bangsamoro Parliament Forum (PCBPF); Intergovernmental Fiscal Policy Board (IFPB); Joint Body for the Zones of Joint Cooperation (JBZJC); Intergovernmental Infrastructure Development Board (IIDB); Intergovernmental Energy Board (IEB); Bangsamoro Sustainable Development Board (BSDB); and the creation of the Council of Leaders.
The mechanisms corresponded with achievements such as the qualification and commissioning of former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) fighters into the Philippine National Police.
It also ushered in the inclusion of the proclamations granting amnesty to former members of the MILF and the MNLF, which was issued last November 2023 and concurred by the House of Representatives and the Senate.
President Marcos also noted the successful turnover of various properties and assets of the National Government within the BARMM to the Bangsamoro Government.
In July last year, the national government witnessed the signing of the Intergovernmental Energy Board Circular on the Joint Award on Petroleum Service Contracts and Coal Operating Contracts in the BARMM.
“These peace and development milestones are part of our collective efforts to lay the groundwork for effective governance and meaningful autonomy in BARMM,” the President said.
