Marcos: We're committed to make BARMM successful
Published Jun 22, 2023 02:58 am
"We want to make it work."
Thus said President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. as he reiterated his government's desire to work with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to ensure the success of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
*President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. (RTVM screenshot)*
Marcos said this as he met Swiss Ambassador to the Philippines Alain Gaschen during the latter's farewell visit in Malacañang on Wednesday, June 21. During their meeting, the President said "the very big test" was putting together BARMM's electoral code, the local government code, and all the basic laws in terms of the administrative structure. Although these still need to be completed, Marcos said everyone was working to finish the process by the time the election came. "Now to involve a group that ... has not been part of the government... but we are committed," he said, referring to the MILF. "The national government, the Philippines is --- the public is committed to making this successful and peaceful," he added. Marcos likewise acknowledged that the government should pay proper attention to the lingering issues in Mindanao, such as land, justice, and reconciliation. "The BARMM, the Parliament, everyone wants it to work; the national government wants it to work. The local governments in the area want it to work," he said. Meanwhile, President Marcos promised to lend his ear to some individuals' or factions' voices and views to prevent them from resorting to violence. "We have just begun with the process because we have to redirect the entire government. This is not an easy thing to do," he said. "The government is very big... It takes several kilometers before you can change direction; that's a little bit of the government," he added. On the other hand, Marcos thanked Gaschen for Switzerland's support and involvement in chairing the Bangsamoro Transitional Council. "That was a very important role that you played in the success of what we are now continuing to implement in terms of the peace process in the southern Philippines, in BARMM," the President said. The BARMM was formed after former president Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act (RA) No. 11054 on July 27, 2018.
*President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. (RTVM screenshot)*
Marcos said this as he met Swiss Ambassador to the Philippines Alain Gaschen during the latter's farewell visit in Malacañang on Wednesday, June 21. During their meeting, the President said "the very big test" was putting together BARMM's electoral code, the local government code, and all the basic laws in terms of the administrative structure. Although these still need to be completed, Marcos said everyone was working to finish the process by the time the election came. "Now to involve a group that ... has not been part of the government... but we are committed," he said, referring to the MILF. "The national government, the Philippines is --- the public is committed to making this successful and peaceful," he added. Marcos likewise acknowledged that the government should pay proper attention to the lingering issues in Mindanao, such as land, justice, and reconciliation. "The BARMM, the Parliament, everyone wants it to work; the national government wants it to work. The local governments in the area want it to work," he said. Meanwhile, President Marcos promised to lend his ear to some individuals' or factions' voices and views to prevent them from resorting to violence. "We have just begun with the process because we have to redirect the entire government. This is not an easy thing to do," he said. "The government is very big... It takes several kilometers before you can change direction; that's a little bit of the government," he added. On the other hand, Marcos thanked Gaschen for Switzerland's support and involvement in chairing the Bangsamoro Transitional Council. "That was a very important role that you played in the success of what we are now continuing to implement in terms of the peace process in the southern Philippines, in BARMM," the President said. The BARMM was formed after former president Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act (RA) No. 11054 on July 27, 2018.