President Rodrigo R. Duterte expressed his full support in advocating peace and development in the Bangsomoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) as he joined the second anniversary of the region’s establishment.
President Duterte shared the significant strides that have been successfully conducted by the region are its participation in the national planning process, the transfer of management of existing nature reserves and protected areas from the DENR to the BARMM, and the creation of the Bangsamoro Electoral Office and the Regional Offices of several national government agencies.
“Be assured that this administration will remain determined in its commitment to support self-determination, uphold human rights, and advance social welfare in the Bangsamoro region,” the Chief Executive declared.
He also added that the region is faced with “many daunting challenges” aggravated by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. He has given “marching orders” to all relevant government agencies to “give full support to the BARMM through continued assistance in the region”.
However, BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim again called for the extension of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority from 2022 to 2025 before conducting elections due to the difficulty in establishing a parliamentary ministerial form of government.
“The only way to succeed is to lengthen the transition period because the transition period is the mechanism in order to implement that agreement.”
President Duterte has initially given his blessing to extend the transition period of the BTA due to the pandemic. Report from Naomi Tiburcio
