DAVAO CITY (PIA) — President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering support for the development agenda of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), as he reminded its leaders “how much work still needs to be done.”
The President was the guest of honor during the 1st BARMM Local Legislative General Assembly held at Acacia Hotel in Davao City on Tuesday, November 14, where around 350 provincial and municipal legislators and other BARMM officials converged.
The Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines hosted the two-day gathering in partnership with the BARMM Ministry of the Interior and Local Government and the Philippine Councilors’ League.
Among the goals of the general assembly are showcasing the national government’s programs for BARMM and capacitating the local legislature for the eventual localization of the National Development Agenda in BARMM.
BARMM legislators take photo opportunity with Pres. Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. during the 1st BARMM Local Legislative General Assembly at Acacia Hotel, Davao City on November 14, 2023.
“The insights and the initiatives that will transpire from this discussion are crucial to our goal of achieving peace and progress in our nation and in BARMM governments,” President Marcos said.
In a press briefer, Republic Act 11054, or the BARMM Organic Law approved on July 26, 2018, is said to be the inspiration of general assembly, as it signifies “the concrete national recognition of the legitimacy of the cause of the Bangsamoro people and all the Muslim and tribal Filipinos in this region.”
BARMM is composed of 67 Provincial Board Members, 34 Vice Mayors, and 1,206 Councilors, to include the Sangguniang Kabataan chairpersons and ABC presidents as ex-officio Sangguniang Bayan members.
Cotabato City Councilor and PCL BARMM Vice-Chair Hunyn Abu
On the part of Cotabato City councilor and PCL BARMM vice chairperson Hunyn Abu, he said that the gathering, which has a training component, would be an opportunity to enhance the officials’ capability on legislations.
Abu underscored the importance of improving their capacity to create their local legislation as elected lawmakers, and BARMM is in its 4th year of inception. tion.
“Every year we have new learnings as newly-elected officials of BARMM,” she said, as she also appreciated the unity of the legislators of BARMM in this gathering.
Abu also has a call to the national government and the president, saying, “Nais naming ma suportahan kami ng national government, lalong lalo na ng president, kung ano ang pangangailangan ng region.”
Meanwhile, Al Medzhar A. Hajiri, VMLP regional chairperson and vice mayor of Lugus, Sulu, has called on his fellow legislators that their programs of action “must be attuned to the national government’s plans and programs for the BARMM in order to secure willing backing and support, in the implementation of good programs.”
In his message, Hajiri commended President Marcos “for fully monitoring the genuine implementation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, towards meaningful development, and progress of the BARMM.” (CLC/PIA-XI)
VMLP Regional Chair and Vice-Mayor Al Medzhar A. Hajiri of Lugus, Sulu
