PASIG CITY — The Technical Working Group (TWG) on the Sulu Transition convened on Thursday, March 5, 2026, to finalize critical measures aimed at ensuring the seamless operation of educational institutions and the continued welfare of personnel in the Province of Sulu.

 

The session, held at the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), was co-presided over by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Acting Secretary Rolando U. Toledo and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Deputy Minister of the Interior and Local Government Eddie M. Alih.

 

During the meeting, the TWG reaffirmed the national government’s commitment to ensuring that the transition process in Sulu will not disrupt the delivery of education services or compromise the welfare of teachers and education personnel.

 

Secretary Toledo underscored that the transition measures being implemented are firmly guided by the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to safeguard the continuity of education and protect those who serve on the frontlines of learning.

 

“President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has given a clear directive: the transition in Sulu must not interrupt education and must not place our teachers and education workers at risk. We are moving swiftly so that schools remain open, teachers continue to receive support, and learners in Sulu can pursue their dreams without disruption,” DBM Secretary Toledo said.

 

“Kapag tuloy-tuloy ang edukasyon, tuloy-tuloy din ang pag-asa. The future of Sulu—and the future of our nation—depends on the education of our children today,” he added.

 

Echoing this commitment, Deputy Minister Alih emphasized that the transition also presents an opportunity to strengthen governance structures and improve the delivery of public services for the people of Sulu.

 

“The Bangsa Sug have a long history of resilience and dignity. As we navigate the administrative nuances of this transition, let us honor that history by delivering a governance structure that is responsive, transparent, and inclusive. Our goal is simple yet profound: a transition so stable that the transition itself becomes invisible to the citizen, leaving only the visible impact of improved public service,” MILG Deputy Minister Eddie M. Alih said.

 

The TWG established a firm timeline for the finalization of the Joint Memorandum between the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE), and the Mindanao State University (MSU) on the interim operational arrangements for the Hadji Butu School of Arts and Trades (HBSAT) and the Lapak Agricultural School (LAPAK). The draft Joint Memorandum was submitted by CHED to MBHTE and MSU for comments on March 5, 2026, with a target date for final signing on March 13, 2026.

 

In a major move for basic education, the TWG is issuing a formal resolution to support the implementation of measures allowing the Bangsamoro Government to fund the salaries of Islamic Studies and Arabic Language (ISAL), Abot Kaalaman sa Pamilyang Bangsamoro (AKAP), and para-teachers in Sulu for FY 2026. Additionally, the renewal of all contracts of service (COS) workers will proceed under standard MBHTE processes.

 

Regarding infrastructure support, the BARMM has committed to studying the Province of Sulu’s request for the allocation of funds for Capital Outlays, specifically for the LAPAK and the HBSAT.

 

In line with efforts to protect the rights and welfare of personnel affected by the transition, the DBM and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will hold another consultation meeting with the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and the BARMM this month to finalize the Joint Memorandum Circular on Personnel Options. The Circular will provide detailed guidelines and clear pathways for all affected employees.

 

In moving these measures forward, the TWG underscored that the success of the transition will ultimately be measured not by administrative milestones alone, but by the assurance that every learner in Sulu continues to have access to quality education without interruption. By safeguarding the welfare of teachers, sustaining the operations of schools, and strengthening governance arrangements during this period, the national government and the Bangsamoro Government aim to ensure that the youth of Sulu remain firmly on the path toward opportunity, empowerment, and a brighter future for their communities and for the nation.