In line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Technical Working Group (TWG) on the Sulu Transition convened on April 8 to accelerate key measures that will ensure a smooth, orderly, and well-coordinated transition of the Province of Sulu, pursuant to Executive Order (EO) No. 91, s. 2025.

 

The meeting, held at the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), was co-presided by Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Acting Assistant Secretary Gerald Janda, representing Acting Secretary Rolando “Rolly” U. Toledo, and Deputy Minister Eddie Alih of the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). They were joined by Sulu Vice Governor Sakur Tan and representatives from key national government agencies (NGAs) and Bangsamoro ministries.

 

Discussions focused on addressing critical budgetary gaps, safeguarding the welfare of affected government personnel, and ensuring the uninterrupted delivery of essential services—particularly in health and education—throughout the transition period.

 

A key agenda item was the funding of Priority Programs, Activities, and Projects (PAPs) for the Province of Sulu under Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. The TWG took note of the recent communication from the Office of the President authorizing the Bangsamoro Government to allocate funds and implement PAPs for Sulu in FY 2026, subject to existing budgeting, accounting, and auditing laws, rules, and regulations.

 

To further strengthen the transition framework, the TWG resolved to revisit select provisions of EO No. 91, s. 2025 to ensure greater policy clarity and operational readiness.

 

Reaffirming its commitment to protect the rights and welfare of affected personnel, the TWG also set a clear timeline for the finalization of the Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) between the DBM and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). The JMC will establish the policy framework and guidelines governing personnel movements arising from the transition of Sulu from BARMM to Region IX.

 

In support of this, the DBM and DILG, together with concerned NGAs and the Bangsamoro Government, will conduct further consultations with the Civil Service Commission within the month to ensure that personnel are protected and that public service delivery remains seamless.

 

On health and education, the TWG agreed to convene a dedicated consultation to develop more targeted policy options and strategies, including the exploration of legislative measures where necessary to address sector-specific concerns.

 

Meanwhile, the Bangsamoro Government expressed its intent to explore continued funding support for manpower and operational requirements for technical education and skills development programs in Sulu for FY 2026. A Joint Memorandum between the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is expected to be issued to formalize interim operational arrangements.

 

The TWG also reaffirmed the deadline for the submission of the Joint Agency Transition Plan by concerned NGAs and the Provincial Government of Sulu, which will serve as a critical roadmap to guide the transition process.

 

The TWG is set to reconvene in the first week of May 2026 to sustain momentum and ensure timely implementation of all agreed action points.