By Gabriela Baron
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. vowed on Thursday, Sept. 15, unwavering support for the Bangsamoro people during the inaugural session of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex in Cotabato City.
During his speech, Marcos urged the regional government to pass crucial legislations that will institutionalize local governance and ensure the welfare of the Muslim population in the Bangsamoro region.
“As your President, I assure you, the BTA and all the Bangsamoro people, of this administration’s full and unwavering commitment to the peace process and to [Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao],” Marcos said.
“This is why we are steadfast in our commitment to the peace process here in Southern Philippines. So we push for socioeconomic development, interventions to promote peace and development in areas affected by decades of conflict,” he added.
The chief executive cited the PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn (PAMANA) Program, noting that through the initiative, the government allocated P19 billion for socioeconomic interventions that build a culture of peace in highly conflict-affected and vulnerable areas from 2017 to 2022.
He assured the completion of the program despite delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and urged the BTA to pass all the important legislations on fiscal policy, particularly taxation, as well as to facilitate the conduct of the regional elections in 2025.
“I also encourage the BTA to pass measures that will secure the welfare of the Moro people, particularly in agri-fishery, health, transportation, communications, digital infrastructure, and e-governance,” he added. -ag
