The Philippines is on the right track to building a more peaceful and prosperous Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said Wednesday.

Speaking at the turnover of the 3rd Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB) Progress Report in Malacañang, Marcos expressed optimism that the country will overcome the remaining challenges to ensure the continued development of the five-year-old Bangsamoro region.

Marcos cited the transformative reforms that the government has undertaken to assist BARMM, including the commissioning of former Moro rebels to the police force, the granting of amnesties to qualified former Moro combatants, the turnover of various properties and assets of the national government within the BARMM, and the signing of the Intergovernmental Energy Board Circular on the joint award on petroleum service contracts and coal operating contracts in the region.

“These peace and development milestones are part of our collective efforts to lay the groundwork for effective governance and meaningful autonomy environment,” Marcos said.

“I’m confident that we are on the right path to building a more peaceful, stable and prosperous Bangsamoro region as we find responsive solutions to the remaining issues and concerns that still need to be addressed,” he added.

The President also urged Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, co-chair of the IGRB and the only Muslim in the Cabinet, to expedite the IGRB manual of operations and resolution of identified issues before the first BARMM parliamentary elections next year.

Marcos said the manual will “facilitate a proactive monitoring of issues and establish a system of continuity” for the Bangsamoro government.

The first parliamentary election in BARMM will be held simultaneously with the May 12, 2025 midterm elections.

Marcos also noted that the 3rd IGRB Progress Report is a testament to the stakeholders’ “fruitful partnership and enduring commitment to peace and development.”

Created through Republic Act 11054 or the Bangsamoro Organic Law, the IGRB facilitates the coordination and resolves issues between the national and Bangsamoro governments through regular consultations and negotiations.

‘Shining example of peace’

For her part, Pangandaman said the success of BARMM is “not only a matter of concern for (the) BARMM but also a top priority of the Philippine government.”

“In fact, beyond being a matter of national interest, the success of BARMM is also a world issue because the world is looking (at) BARMM to be the shining example of peace. Hence, I must emphasize that we cannot fail,” Pangandaman said.

The BARMM was created in 2019 following the ratification of the BOL, which is a product of peace negotiations between the government and Moro rebels. (PNA)