Those who have visited Cotabato City for the first time are often amazed by what they witness during their 30-minute drive from the airport to the town center: well-paved concrete roads, commercial establishments lining the streets, and bustling economic activity.

These are not exactly what they expected to see based on what they have read in the news. Cotabato City, the seat of power of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) government, is, indeed, undergoing a major transformation.

And these are the same scenes that grabbed the attention and impressed no less President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and his party during his trip to the city to take part in the celebration of the BARMM 7th Foundation Anniversary.

As he drove through the city, the President observed the major improvements and the upbeat atmosphere of the place, which was once viewed as a military hotspot. In his remarks, he said, “You are creating a government from a blank sheet—on a blank sheet of paper.”

The President’s statement captures the essence of what the BARMM has become. Here, leaders and citizens are working together to write a new, exciting chapter in the region’s history that reflects their long-held aspirations, resilience, and determination.

The BARMM of today is not just a region undergoing a transition. It is also a community that is reclaiming and building its future. This is why President Marcos’s observation that “Gumaganda na ‘yung BARMM’” resonates deeply among those who attended the celebration.

I have felt the renewed sense of optimism that is sweeping across the region, the hustle and bustle in markets and new infrastructure projects, and the joy in the smiles of children going to modern schools. Clearly, these are the dividends of peace that are firmly taking root.

This is why the challenge made by President Marcos to create a government from a blank sheet is more than a metaphor. It is a clarion call to think differently, to innovate, and to move forward without being bound by the many constraints of the past.

Through this paradigm shift, it is possible to craft policies that are people-centered, ensuring that governance is accountable, responsive, and transparent. It is about prioritizing ease of doing business, attracting investments, and creating more sustainable livelihoods.

As I listened to the Chief Executive speak, I could not help but reflect on how far the Bangsamoro people have come. From armed struggle to governance, and from conflict to collaboration, their peace journey has truly been extraordinary.

In his remarks, Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua reminded us that the BARMM was “born not from comfort but from conviction,” and forged through the sacrifice made by men and women who courageously fought for the right to self-governance and self-determination.

These sacrifices are etched in the hearts of the Bangsamoro people, in every infrastructure that rises, in every program that empowers women and youth, and in every community that once lived under the shadow of fear but now thrives because of hope.

The BARMM government’s “Mas Matatag na Bangsamoro” agenda, with its main pillars of governance, livelihood, community, security, and faith, symbolizes a vision that is bold and yet anchored on realities on the ground.

As such, the national government has thrown its full support to the region through programs that are aligned with the BARMM’s priorities. The President’s call for synergy, “one plus one sometimes equals three, sometimes four,” best captures this spirit of collaboration.

As the first BARMM parliamentary elections draw near, let us be reminded of the importance of exercising one’s inherent right to suffrage to sustain the gains of peace. These elections are not just a deliverable under the Bangsamoro peace process.

By and large, it is a culmination of decades of struggle, commitment, and dialogue.

The elections shall give each and every Bangsamoro citizen the opportunity to cast their vote and directly participate in establishing the government they deserve. It will be a testament of the people’s unwavering commitment to peace, equality, and democracy.

I admire and commend the many former combatants I have met who, through the national and BARMM government’s rehabilitation and reintegration programs, have now become entrepreneurs, educators, and community leaders. They now walk the path of peace.

Their amazing transformation reflects the region’s evolution from a place of conflict into a show window of peace and development. The foundations laid over the past seven years shall ensure that the region’s next chapter will be filled with hope, progress, and prosperity.

To the people of the Bangsamoro, your decades-long journey has truly inspired our nation. The sacrifices of your forebears, the commitment of your leaders, and your own perseverance have made BARMM a testament to what we can achieve through unity.

As we move forward, let us embrace this blank sheet with determination. Let us ensure that every initiative, every policy, and every peace investment serves the people. Let us celebrate not only what has been achieved but also what is yet possible.

Indeed, BARMM is not only growing but is thriving and exceeding expectations. Together, let us continue to turn this blank sheet into a legacy that generations of Bangsamoro will be proud to inherit and build upon.

(Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. is the presidential adviser on peace, reconciliation and unity.)