BARMM govs bent on fulfilling mandate
GOVERNORS of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARRM) will continue to raise critical and urgent issues concerning people of Mindanao.
As this developed, the BARMM Governors’ Caucus (BGC) welcomes the convening for the first time by Interim Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ibrahim of the Council of Leaders on August 9 in Davao City.
Since the establishment of the BARMM on March 2019, the Provincial Governors have called for the activation of the Council of Leaders, so that the voice of Local Government Units (LGUs) can be heard and considered in the governance of the autonomous region.
During the launch of the BARMM Governors Caucus (BGC) last 6 June 2023, the five elected governors of BARMM called for the meeting of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC), as well as the convening of the Council of Leaders, among others.
The RPOC met in Sulu last June 10 where the governors submitted their manifesto and an open letter to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
In a Joint Position Paper, the governors are calling for the regular meeting of the Council of Leaders, at least quarterly, to fulfill its mandate under RA 11054 or the Bangsamoro Organic Law.
The governors further call for the inclusion of the following critical and urgent issues in the agenda for the Council’s meeting: peace and order issues leading to the October 2023 Barangay and SK elections; rationalizing and harmonizing BARMM and LGU planning; greater coordination between regional ministries and LGUs in the implementation of regional projects in LGUs; transparent, accountable, and efficient implementation of regional projects and Issues on Rule of Law and Justice in the region.
The Bangsamoro Organic Law provides that the main function of the Council of Leaders is to advise the Chief Minister on matters of governance in the region. It is composed of the Interim Chief Minister as head of the council, Members of the Congress of the Philippines from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region; provincial governors, and mayors of chartered cities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region; representatives of traditional leaders, non-Moro indigenous communities, women, settler communities, the Ulama, youth, and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region; and representatives of other sectors.
Bangsamoro communities outside of the BGC’s core advocacies are rule of law, peace & order and inclusive development and governance. The BGC is composed of the elected governors of the five provinces in BARMM, namely Gov. Mamintal Adiong, Jr. of Lanao del Sur, Gov. Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu of Maguindanao del Sur, Gov. Abdusakur M. Tan of Sulu, Gov. Hadjiman S. Hataman-Salliman of Basilan, and Gov. Yshmael “Mang” I. Sali of Tawi-Tawi.
