An empowered, cohesive, and progressive Bangsamoro

DAVAO CITY – Officials of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao acknowledge the gains of Bangsamoro people amid the adversities it has hurdled since the Bangsamoro government was established in 2019.

Six years on, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front-led Bangsamoro parliament underscored that they are now starting to reap the gains of their decades of struggle. 

Amid of the challenges, BARMM Interim Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim claimed that “the dreams that our forefathers envisioned are now taking shape.”

“And the fruits of our labor are beginning to blossom in the form roads that connect our communities, schools that educate our children, hospitals that heal our sick houses, that provide shelter, and institutions that lead our marginalized brothers and sisters,” Ebrahim, who is also the chair of the MILF’s central committee, addressed the crowd during the opening of the BARMM’s sixth founding anniversary in Cotabato City on Monday, Jan.  20.

While admitting that the Bangsamoro government encountered  failures along the way, he pointed out that regional government have tried their best to succeed. What is important is are here to striving to continue to the sacrifices and the  struggle of our people.”

The establishment of BARMM was the culmination of almost two decades of peace negotiations between the government and the MILF. It replaced the defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) following the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law through a plebiscite last Jan. 21, 2019.

BARMM is composed of the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Sur, and Maguindanao del Norte.

In 2024, 63 barangays from Cotabato province,  known as the Special Geographic Areas (SGA),  have been added into the BARRM’s territory following a plebiscite that ratified the creation of eight municipalities.

Currently, the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) , an  interim regional government, is tasked to led the autonomous government that has executive and legislative powers over the region.

Priority programs
Ahod, popularly known by his nom de guerre as Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, admitted the gargantuan task of transforming the region after decades of strife and discord. 

But six years after leading the interim government, the Bangsamoro leader boasted that they have  achieved significant milestones  saying that they have established functional government structures, fostering peace and passed key legislations. “We have laid the groundwork for an empowered, cohesive and progressive Bangsamoro.”

Aside from infrastructure development that linked remote communities,  Ahod added that they Bangsamoro government also prioritized the improvement of health services as well as the poverty reduction programs across across the region.

He also boasted the 2024 Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) report stating that the region is no longer the  poorest region in the country as its poverty incidence dropped significantly from 52.9 percent in 2018 to 23.5 percent in 2023.

The Bangsamoro government chief also acknowledged the programs and services implemented in the education sector. 

BARMM Health Minister Dr. Kadil Sinolinding also disclosed that the region’s  malnutrition rate  has decreased significantly in just six years.

Sinolinding added that outbreaks like measles disease has been effectively controlled providing protection through vaccination by 88 percent of the eligible children population.

“Our hospitals and health facilities were upgraded and improved region wide while our Human Resource for Health including Barangay Health Workers have almost doubled until last year,” he added. 

Remarkable journey 

Cotabato City Mayor Mohammad Bruce Matabalao described the milestone on the sixth year anniversary of BARMM as a remarkable journey that brought the region to this point. 

“A journey of courage, persistence and unity,” Matabalao said.  “I will never forget the  struggles we faced during the campaign for the yes vote in Cotabato City.  It was a time of doubts and resistance but we believed in the vision of BARMM as the pathway to peace and progress. “
It can be recalled that Cotabato City was among the hotspots during the 2019 plebiscite as the city was then touted as the crown jewel of the Bangsamoro region.

Matabalo recalled that securing the “Yes” vote was very challenging saying: “Every vote we secured was a testament of courage of our people and their willingness to dream of something better despite the risk and uncertainties.”

Struggle continues

Maguindanao del Norte Gov. Abdulraof Macacua also commended the efforts of his fellow government officials and workers in the Bangsamoro region, saying the achievement of regional government is a reflection of the peoples’ resilience, unity, and determination to build a peaceful and progressive region. 

“Ang anim nta taong tagumpay ng BARMM ay simbolo ng mahaba ngunit makabuluhang kasaysayan ng pakikibaka ng Bangsamoro lalo na ating mga mujahideen,” said Macacua. 

The Bangsamoro struggle, he added,  is one of the most inspiring narratives of resilience and hope. “For decades the region endured conflict, displacement and suffering. “

Even after taking at the helm of the regional government, Ahod emphasized that their struggle for collective pursuit continues. 

Ebrahim reiterated that they will continue to find means to retake Sulu into the Bangsamoro region.
It can be recalled that Sulu had been excluded from BARMM following the Supreme Court decision on September last year.

Ahod acknowledged the contributions of the Tausog people in Sulu in their fight for self-determination long before the establishment of the autonomous governments. 

“It is our solemn duty to honor the sacrifices of those who paved the way for  us as we continue to fight for our collective pursuit. Alam natin na maraming nagsakripisyo, maraming na sajid para lang ma achieve natin kung ano ang na achieve natin ngayon.”