PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. yesterday reaffirmed the national government’s commitment to assist the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and help it become peaceful, progressive and united.
The President, during the turnover to the national government of the 3rd Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB) Progress Report in Malacanang, also asked Budget Secretary and IGRB co-chairperson Amenah Pangandaman to expedite the issuance of the joint-body’s manual that would clarify the roles and functions of the Bangsamoro government and the national government.
“I reaffirm once again the national government’s unwavering commitment to helping and assisting the Bangsamoro Government in all its endeavors as we continue with this important process not only for Muslims in Mindanao, not only for the Southern Philippines but for the entire Republic,” Marcos said.
“Together, let us continue to build a future where peace, progress, and unity prevail. May our collective efforts to bring about positive change for the BARMM and our nation be realized sooner rather than later,” he added.
The IGRB, established under Section 2, Article VI of Republic Act No. 11054 or the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), is mandated to facilitate coordination and resolve issues between the national government and the Bangsamoro government through regular consultations and negotiations, aiming to achieve mutual goals.
It is also responsible for operationalizing and overseeing other intergovernmental relations mechanisms outlined in the BOL.
The President said that with IGRB, “we now possess the necessary platforms to ensure greater collaboration, coordination and cooperation between the national government and the Bangsamoro government in pursuing our shared goals and endeavors for our people.”
Marcos said that as the BARMM elections in May 2025 nears, it becomes urgent for the manual of the IGBR to be completed.
“With the forthcoming elections, I urged the Department of the 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 manual will clarify the roles, the functions that facilitate proactive monitoring of issues and establish a system of continuity amongst those mechanisms,” he said.
The President welcomed the submission of the IGRB report, which highlights some of its accomplishments in connection with the implementation of the BOL.
He said the report is a testament to the partnership between the national government and the BARMM.
Among the IGRB’s accomplishments include resolving the issue of the qualifications and commissioning of former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) members into the Philippine National Police and the inclusion of the proclamations granting amnesty to former members of MILF and MNLF.
