The government has poured investments to sustain development in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Monday.
In his third State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Marcos said investments in BARMM have increased by 140 percent.
“Investments continue to pour into the BARMM. Last year, investments in the region increased by one hundred forty percent year-on-year,” the President said.
President Marcos said the improved peace and order situation, good governance, the confidence, and the hope of the Bangsamoro people have contributed to the significant decline in BARMM’s poverty index.
In Marawi, the rehabilitation and rebuilding continue under the supervision of the Office of the President, he said.
President Marcos noted the government’s focus remains on restoring energy, water, and livable communities.
At present, all seven inter-governmental mechanisms of BARMM, as mandated under the Organic Law, have been organized and activated, the President pointed out.
They will guarantee effective and constant consultation between the Bangsamoro and the National Governments in the fundamental aspects of governance, he said.
Five out of the seven essential laws for BARMM have already been enacted by the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament, Marcos added, saying the region now has its own Administrative Code, Local Government Code, Election Code, and its own laws on Education and the Civil Service.
These developments show that the BARMM is now primed and ready for its first regular elections in 2025, the President declared.
Investors are positively considering the potential of BARMM to become an investment hub, a BARMM official said on Saturday.
Mindanao is home to many investment centers and BARMM could become one of them, according to BARMM Cabinet Secretary Mohd Asnin Pendatun.
“Iyon pong relatively better peace and security situation in the region at saka nakikita ho noong atin pong mga investors iyong potential noong BARMM to be an investment hub,” Pendatun said during a Saturday News Forum in Quezon City.
Pendatun said that in 2023, PhP 3.1 billion worth of investment was recorded in the region. This figure translates to 1,927 job opportunities.
Investments for 2024 are now at least PhP 3.5 billion, Pendatun declared. “We have already surpassed 42% of our target at hindi pa po natatapos iyong taon,” he added.
Pendatun announced that the region had welcomed 558,000 tourists. Of the figure, 1,394 are foreigners.
“Especially po iyong foreign tourists, several years back, parang imposible pong isipin na dadalawin ho kami ng atin pong mga foreign tourists. But nowadays, they’re showing iyong interest at saka iyong boost doon sa atin pong local economy,” Pendatun said.
“We will see to it that BARMM remains as the country’s top fish producer. As of the first quarter ng 2024, nasa 33.9 percent of the total fisheries production ho sa bansa ay galing sa BARMM – that equates to 335.05 metric tons,” he said.
This is a significant contribution to the agri-fisheries production in the country, Pendatun proudly said.
Federal Airways recently invested in BARMM to make way for the first-ever regional carrier – the Bangsamoro Airways, the first locally operated airline in the region.
He said intervention of social services is also one of the top priorities in the region.
“In 2023 alone, 35,319 indigent patients or families iyong naka-receive po noong mga holistic na social interventions through various programs of the MSSD [Ministry of Social Services and Development],” Pendatun said.
Some 219,000 indigents were aided by the MSSD last year.
Pendatun said government programs including the 4Ps are implemented in BARMM. Out of the 272,346 beneficiaries, 43,061 have already graduated.
He also cited the medical assistance provided by the government and the strengthening of health services in the region. PND
