Senate Majority Leader Francis said on Saturday, Sept. 14, that vital social services must be sustained for Sulu after the province was virtually "orphaned" due to the recent ruling of the Supreme Court (SC) that excluded it from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

“All national government agencies must have contingency plans to ensure that the delivery of vital services to the province, such as education, health, and social welfare will not be hampered,” said Tolentino, as he noted that the SC ruling was "immediately executory".

To recall, Tolentino delivered a manifestation in plenary earlier this week to appeal to the Senate to take cognizance of the political and budgetary implications of the SC decision.

The ruling, he said, upheld the validity of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), but declared that Sulu was not part of BARMM since the majority of its voters rejected the BOL in the plebiscite of 2019.

“This presents pressing questions about Sulu's future, but it is vital to view this challenge as an opportunity. Now that Sulu is outside of BARMM, we must carefully consider not only the political but the financial implications of this decision,” Tolentino stressed.

He said that the Senate, in consultation with the executive, must make the necessary adjustments to include the province in the allocations of various line agencies under the proposed P6.352-billion budget for 2025.

Meanwhile, in his weekly radio program "SOS" on DZRH, Tolentino emphasized to Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Spokesperson Irene Dumlao the need to focus immediate attention to Sulu.

“Usually, when it rains heavily in BARMM, areas like Cotabato and other parts of the region experience flooding. What I think you should prepare for now is the situation that Sulu is no longer part of BARMM. The province should now receive attention because they will return to being under your care. What percentage of your allocation is reserved for Sulu? Perhaps none? Have you made any adjustments?” the senator asked Dumlao.

In response, Dumlao assured the DSWD’s continuous assistance to Sulu, as well as the agency's close coordination with its counterpart, the BARMM Ministry of Social Services and Development.

Tolentino also raised similar concerns earlier this week in the budget hearing of the Department of Science and Technology, and his budget consultation with the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.

“Sulu is a beautiful and peaceful province. There's no more Abu Sayyaf. We must all help in ensuring the welfare of its people and its progress,” the senator concluded.