PEACE BY PEACE
The newly reconstituted Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) convened its inaugural session on April 8, facing the critical task of completing remaining deliverables to ensure a smooth transition leading up to the first Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s (BARMM) parliamentary elections this October.
Under the leadership of newly-appointed Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua, the maiden session unfolded against a backdrop of both renewed optimism and a clear-eyed understanding of the complex challenges still confronting the region.
Empowered by a fresh mandate and the evident trust of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., the interim body is now accelerating efforts to finalize and amend crucial legislative codes. Simultaneously, the BARMM Government with its ministries is tasked to deliver essential socio-economic services to its more than four million residents within the limited six-month window before the first parliamentary elections.
In his inaugural address, Chief Minister Macacua presented a pragmatic vision, acknowledging the importance of sustaining and building upon the achievements of his predecessor, Ahod Balawag Ebrahim. "I will not claim we will surpass the accomplishments for the people of BARMM," CM Macacua stated, "but we will strive to continue that legacy and complement and sustain the region's development gains."
Foremost on the BTA's agenda is the swift revision and completion of key legislative codes, which will serve as the foundation for the BARMM's continued economic growth in the years ahead. Expediting this task is particularly crucial in light of pressing issues, notably the Supreme Court's decision regarding the exclusion of Sulu province from the BARMM.
Consequently, the Bangsamoro government must amend existing legal frameworks and enact pending legislation, such as the Bangsamoro Revenue Code and the Budget System Law, to ensure greater accountability, transparency, and fiscal autonomy within the region.
Maintaining and strengthening the BARMM's stability during this transition period is paramount, especially concerning good governance, efficient service delivery, livelihood and job creation. The current administration must ensure that the benefits of the peace process and development reach all residents, particularly those in marginalized and underdeveloped communities.
Collaborative efforts with the national government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) are essential to fulfill the deliverables under the Normalization Program for the former combatants, their families, and communities. This program remains a vital component of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, the landmark 2014 peace accord between the Philippine government and the MILF that ended decades of conflict.
Furthermore, Chief Minister Macacua's emphasis on enhancing the BARMM's digital infrastructure and e-governance underscores his administration's recognition of the urgent need to bridge the digital divide and equip the region's workforce for the digital age.
The upcoming regional elections will also serve as a significant test of his leadership. The BARMM government must guarantee that every Bangsamoro citizen can exercise their right to suffrage, as enshrined in the CAB. A peaceful, orderly, and credible election will mark another major milestone for the Bangsamoro people, empowering them to choose their leaders and shape the region's future.
Chief Minister Macacua's directives on punctuality, transparency, and efficient service delivery, encapsulated in his call, "Serbisyo muna bago sahod!" (Service before salary!), demonstrating his strong commitment to professionalizing the Bangsamoro civil service. A more efficient, effective, and inclusive bureaucracy will foster economic development, expand socioeconomic programs, improve access to government services, and enhance the region's quality of education.
Bangsamoro Parliament Speaker Pangalian Balindong urged the people to remember and honor the sacrifices of past leaders. "Lest we forget, our presence here today is the fruit of the relentless efforts of our ancestors who fought for their rights, whether on the battlefield or in the halls of Congress, always with the future in mind," Speaker Balindong emphasized at the inauguration.
His Eminence Shiekh Muslim Masaglang Gulamaden, Wali of the Bangsamoro, stressed the importance of moral governance, inclusive progress, and shared accountability among the Bangsamoro people. "True strength lies not in uniformity but in our collective harmony," Wali Gulamaden stated, highlighting the need for unity amidst diversity. "Leadership is a sacred trust—one that carries with it a profound responsibility for the well-being of those we serve."
The attention of the Bangsamoro people, and the entire nation, will remain fixed on the BTA as it carries forward the legacy of its predecessors to build a peaceful, prosperous, and inclusive future for the region.
(Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., is the presidential adviser on peace, reconciliation and unity.)