COTABATO CITY—President Rodrigo Roa Duterte led the distribution Monday, December 23, of Certificates of Land Ownership Awards (CLOAs) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) encouraging other areas to join the new administrative region for faster regional development.
“I am honored to join you today as we hold the first ceremonial distribution of Certificates of Land Ownership Awards here in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao since its creation in March this year,” the President said in a speech during the event here.
“Today, 912 agrarian reform beneficiaries will receive 815 CLOAs covering more than 2,000 hectares of land in Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.”
The President encouraged the agrarian reform benefiries (ARBs) in BARMM to develop the land handed over by the government adding his administration is ready to provide assistance and market access.
He also called on the provinces or areas not included in BARMM to join for the quick development of the newly created autonomous region.
“Ako, sinasabi ko, join BARMM. Gusto ninyo sumali sa pagtaas ng ano, sumali kayo sa BARMM. Magtiwala kayo sa mga leader,” he said. “Dito na lang kayo, palakihin na natin ‘yung BARMM para maraming negosyo. Magbuhos ako ng malaking pera bago ako aalis.”
“Kaya important to create a thriving community. Kaya itong BARMM must succeed because it is a deliverance, political, social, lahat na.”
And to ensure regional security, President Duterte said he is open to allowing BARMM establish its own armed forces to fight terrorism.
“Alam mo, sa totoo lang, when you are already evolved into something which is really regional at mayroon kayong sariling Armed Forces o police, payag ako. Mag-armas kayo. But you know, you have to kill the terrorists,” he said.
The Bangsamoro Organic Law allows BARMM to establish a police regional office in the Bangsamoro region with the control and supervision of the Philippine National Police (PNP). Its chief will still be appointed by the PNP chief, upon consultation with the Bangsamoro chief minister. PND
