Bangsamoro autonomous region in muslim mindanao (barmm): Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua has expressed appreciation for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who visited the region on Wednesday. 'The President's visit reflects the continuing strong partnership between the national government and BARMM in promoting lasting peace, inclusive development, and stronger intergovernmental cooperation for the benefit of the Bangsamoro people,' Macacua said in an interview with reporters after the program held at the Army's 6th Infantry Division in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte. 'The President's presence at this significant occasion means a lot for the Bangsamoro people,' Macacua added.
According to Philippines News Agency, the President launched the National Government-Bangsamoro Government Convergence Program for the BARMM in Maguindanao del Norte on Monday morning. The convergence program was an initiative to enhance coordination and cooperation between the national government and implementing programs and services that directly benefit the people of the Bangsamoro region.
During the program, the President led the ceremonial distribution of various assistance and support packages to the Bangsamoro ministries, offices, and agencies. He also presided over the ceremonial turnover of the Socio-Civic Projects Fund (SCPF) to the Cotabato City government and the provincial governments of BARMM to support the implementation of priority development projects.
Among the projects launched and assistance distributed under the program were infrastructure projects of the region's Ministry of the Interior and Local Government, Ministry of Health (MOH) Operations Center, river landing facilities, and Bangsamoro Maritime Industry Authority facilities under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications. The program also included the turnover of patrol and rubber boats; facilities for senior citizens and child development centers under the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD); solid waste management projects of the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy; and the distribution of medicines and medical equipment through Project TABANG.
Also provided were housing units under the Ministry of Human Settlements and Development; scholarship grants from the Ministry of Science and Technology; assistance through the MSSD's Unlad Bangsamoro Program; and livelihood support from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform for former Moro combatants or mujahideen. Macacua emphasized that the BARMM government's foremost priority is the welfare of the Bangsamoro people and the efficient delivery of public services. He rallied the Bangsamoro leaders to align with the vision of the administration to promote inclusive and accountable governance. 'Together we will work as one people para sa Matatag na Bangsamoro at para sa Bagong Pilipinas,' he said, referring to the BARMM leaders.
Bangsamoro Labor Minister Muslimin Sema, also chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front, lauded Marcos for taking the time to come over and for providing livelihood-generating support for former overseas workers who have returned to the country after a long stay abroad. The President also personally handed over the fund intended for the MOH-BARMM's special projects to Macacua and Dr. Kadil Sinolinding Jr., the Bangsamoro health minister. Grants were also distributed to provincial leaders across BARMM for local peace and development activities.
'These acts of President Marcos clearly demonstrate his determination that the BARMM must succeed,' said Maguindanao del Sur Gov. Ali Midtimbang. Ali Hassan Macapodi, a resident of Matanog, Maguindanao del Norte, said he personally witnessed that President Marcos wanted BARMM to succeed. 'I thought BARMM was not his priority; I was wrong,' Macapodi told reporters. Another resident of Datu Odin Sinsuat, Shalimar Abdul Kadir, lauded the President 'for showing his love for the Bangsamoro by bringing his government closer to us here in BARMM.'
