SENATORIAL candidate Herbert “Bistek” Bautista has committed support for the development of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) following a meeting with senior BARMM ministers and speaking before the region’s parliamentary body.
Bautista, who is running on a platform of Internet reform, Livelihood for all and Youth development or ILY, vowed to review the BARMM development plan.
“I want to see where I can help [one I win] as a senator of the republic,” said Bautista, who has barged into the winning circle in the senatorial race according to results of the latest survey of Pulse Asia.
The tenure of members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) has been extended until 2025 following appeals from BARMM officials to give them more time to lay the groundwork for a fully functioning government.
Bautista said he would go over the development plans of the autonomous region, the product of peace talks between the Philippine government and Moro rebels who had been waging a separatist war for decades.
According to a 12-point agenda on the BARMM website, officials of the autonomous region planned to carry out special programs for the transition of former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) combatants and their families to productive life.
The combatants would be listed as beneficiaries of 4Ps, the government cash assistanceprogram for the poor, and PhilHealth, the government-run health insurance company.
The agenda also listed plans to develop power sources and implement transparency, accountability and prudent use of funds by the regional government.
Bautista has earlier supported calls for the passage of the Marawi Compensation Bill into law. The measure has been approved by Congress and is awaiting the President’s signature.
Nearly five years since terror groups with links to Islamic State laid siege to Marawi City, at least 300,000 city residents remained displaced and living either in decrepit shelters or with relatives.
“The passage of the Marawi City Compensation Bill will be the legacy of the 18th Congress and the Duterte administration to the Maranao IDPs and residents of ground zero in Marawi City,” he said.
