The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Governors’ Caucus (BGC) recently conducted a comprehensive survey in the BARMM, specifically Maguindanao del Sur, Lanao del Sur, and Sulu.
The survey aims to assess the state of development within the BARMM and identify pressing issues affecting the planning, budgeting, implementation, and evaluation of regional development projects in local government units (LGUs) in the region.
During the Council of Leaders meeting last August 9, a commitment was forged to provide a comprehensive list of development projects implemented by the regional government in LGUs within the BARMM.
Memorandum Circular 141, issued by the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG), mandates the LGUs to submit their approved Annual Investment Program for the fiscal year 2024 to facilitate the alignment of plans at the regional level
The BGC instead suggested the establishment of a task force comprising planners and representatives from both regional and local governments. The task force will devise a bottom- up budgeting and planning process that promotes harmonization of regional and local government plans.
What is crucial is the establishment of a planning and budgeting framework that receives full support and consensus from all major participants within the BARMM, including both regional and local governments.
Recognizing the need for greater coordination and information sharing, the task force will work towards strengthening cooperation between ministries and provincial governments in the identification, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of development projects in LGUs.
In pursuit of transparency and accountability, the task force will focus on enhancing monitoring and evaluation systems in both regional and local governments. The BGC remains committed to presenting its recommendations to Bangsamoro Economic Development Council (BEDC), the counterpart of National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) in the region, for further deliberation and action, with emphasis on Rule of Law, Peace and Order and Inclusive Governance and Development.
The BARMM gov›t and LGUs discuss enhancing cooperation for faster project implementation.
“The BEDC meeting is actually prioritizing the coordination between the BARMM government and the local government in the area. So, gusto nating ma-harmonize ‘yong mga programs ng BARMM at local government units”, stated BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim during the BEDC 2nd Regular meeting last September 8, 2023.
“As far as BARMM is concerned, we are prioritizing more on infrastructure, so ‘yun ang pinaka- malaking budget sa year 2023-2028, which is P594 billion,” he stressed.
Governor Abdusakur Tan Sr. of Sulu emphasized the significance of regular face-to-face meetings, stating, “Meetings like these are of utmost importance as they contribute to the strengthening of our relationships.”
Basilan Governor Jim Salliman made an appeal to the BARMM Government, stating, “We would like to propose the establishment of an international port since our functionality has already been declared. Secondly, we also have plans for our airport; in fact, the local government has already invested in it with the initial implementation of the program.”
Salliman also raised several proposals aimed at addressing various challenges and fostering economic development in Basilan province.
These proposals include the construction of a bulk water facility to tackle water supply issues, the establishment of a rubber processing plant and a sardines factory to stimulate economic growth and job creation, the conversion of the Basilan Transcentral Road into a fully-fledged BARMM Regional Highway, the creation of the BARMM Nautical Highway to connect Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, Basilan, and Polloc Port in Parang, Maguindanao, and the strengthening of the coconut industry through manufacturing initiatives.
“We are positive that our proposal will be approved, included, and funded in the development agenda of BARMM,” the governor said.
Additional resolutions discussed and approved during the meeting encompassed several key areas.
These included the endorsement of the proposed 2024 budget of the National Food Authority-BARMM to the National Food Authority Central Office for consideration in their 2024 budget proposal, support for expediting the BARMM Inter- and Intra-Regional Priority Projects through the NEDA-Board Regional Development Committee Mindanao Area Committee (NB- RDCOM MAC), a request to the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) to accelerate the resumption of the detailed engineering design for the Kabulnan 2 Multi-Purpose Irrigation and Power Project, endorsement of the Ministry of Health (MOH-BARMM) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) project concept titled “Strengthening Services in Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition Improvement in BARMM” to NEDA, support for communicating the 2nd BDP 2023-2028 to stakeholders and key audiences, an extension of the accreditation term for private sector organizations under the council from June 2022 to June 2025, and a resolution endorsing the passage of House Bill No. 7651, which institutionalizes the revitalized Pulis Sa Barangay Program of the Philippine National Police.