President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, together with other officials of the government, commemorated today, January 21, 2021, the second anniversary of the ratification of the organic law, establishing Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). This forms part of his promise to pave the groundwork for lasting peace and progress in Mindanao.

The President discussed reforms and mechanisms, which have been laid out, such as the transfer of the management of the existing reserves and protected areas from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to the BARMM and the creation of the Bangsamoro electoral office, and regional offices of several national government agencies, that would foster growth in BARMM and bring about confidence in the participation of the BARMM government in the national planning process.

The President likewise underscored that his Administration will remain determined to its commitment to support self-determination, uphold human rights, and find social welfare in the Bangsamoro region.

On the challenges BARMM is facing, which are aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chief Executive gave his marching orders to all relevant government agencies to give full support to the BARMM.