BARMM govs present agenda in leaders’ gab

THE BARMM Governors Caucus

(BGC), composed of the five elected governors in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, has strongly advocated a common agenda to promote the rule of law, peace and order, and inclusive governance and development.

This developed in the first meeting of the Council of Leaders, an advisory body for the governance of the region, last August 9 in Davao City.

The Council of Leaders has also adopted the BGC recommendation for the Council to meet quarterly.

The common issues the governors raised were contained in a Joint Position Paper presented by BGC Spokesman and Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr., which were deliberated and positively responded to in the Council of Leaders meeting.

These issues, among others, are peace and order leading to the October 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections, rationalizing and harmonizing regional and provincial planning for greater impact of development projects and programs in LGUs;

Greater coordination between regional ministries and the provincial governments in the implementation of development projects in LGUs; and transparent, accountable and efficient implementation of development projects.

Adiong underscored the urgent need to address peace and order in the region.

“The whole BARMM is preparing for the barangay and SK elections, down to our towns and villages. Most important is there is no chaos ensuing in the barangays in the region. Hence, the BGC is pursuing the decommissioning process (of former Muslim rebels) on the ground,” Adiong noted.