All seven intergovernmental mechanisms of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have been organized and activated to resolve relations between the national government and the autonomous region.
“As of today, all seven inter-governmental mechanisms of the BARMM, as mandated under the Organic Law, have been organized and activated,” said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in his SONA at the House of Representatives in Quezon City on Monday.
“These will guarantee effective and constant consultation between the Bangsamoro and the National Governments in the fundamental aspects of governance,” he said.
In pursuit of moving the peace process forward, the Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB) activated last November 9 the seven mechanisms that will serve as basis for all laws and policies enacted by the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament.
The IGRB, established in 2019 by virtue of Section 2, Article VI of Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), aims to coordinate and resolve intergovernmental relations issues between the national government and BARMM through regular consultation and negotiation.
The mechanisms include the Philippine Congress-Bangsamoro Parliament Forum (PCBPF), Intergovernmental Fiscal Policy Board (IFPB), Joint Body for the Zones of Joint Cooperation (JBZJC), Intergovernmental Infrastructure Development Board (IIDB), Intergovernmental Energy Board (IEB), Bangsamoro Sustainable Development Board (BSDB), and the Council of Leaders (COL).
“Five out of the seven essential laws for the BARMM have already been enacted by the BTA Parliament. Now, it has its own Administrative Code, it has its own Local Government Code, its own Election Code, and those for Education and the Civil Service as well,” said President Marcos.
“With these inspiring developments, the BARMM appears primed and ready for its regular elections, the first ones that they will have in the coming year,” the Chief Executive said.
Accompanying these mechanisms are a set of rules and regulations that delineate how the Executive Department of the National Government will execute them.
Earlier, Mohagher Iqbal, IGRB co-chair, stressed that the ongoing negotiations between both governments, through the IGRB, pave the way to an empowered collaboration.
“Slowly, we are strengthening the foundation—one that I hope will transcend the transition period—through our shared values of respect, among others, as well as our mutual commitment and efforts to resolve issues in a non-adversarial manner,” said Iqbal.
IGRB Co-chair Secretary Amenah Pangandaman of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) expressed her optimism about the country’s economic development in conjunction with the Bangsamoro region.
“In our journey toward achieving a future-proof and sustainable economy, no Filipino is left behind, including, most importantly, the Bangsamoro,” Sec. Pangandaman stated.
The activation of the seven IGRB mechanisms aligns with the first priority under Bangsamoro Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim’s Enhanced 12-Point Priority Agenda, focusing on evolving a strong, responsive, and relevant BARMM bureaucracy through the enactment of the remaining priority codes and legislation. |PND
