Participants from the Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB) Joint Secretariat, organizers from the Support to Bangsamoro Transition (SUBATRA), ladies and gentlemen, good day to all of you.
Assalamu alaikum wa Raḥmatullahi wa Barakatuh.
Before anything else, Alhamdulillah, as we have almost reached the end of 2024! I would like to congratulate everyone on your achievements, but most especially on your hard work and dedication to ensuring that the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) remains a shining beacon of lasting peace and progress.
Truly, our harmonious working relations in the past months have resulted in public-oriented policies that will surely have lasting benefits for BARMM.
We successfully turned over our third Progress Report to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during the sixth anniversary of the signing of the BOL last July—a solid testament to our commitment to supporting BARMM’s transition to autonomy.
And at the same time, the National Government is investing further in the region's economic development. Hence, under our proposed FY 2025 national budget—which we hope will be passed on third and final reading by the Senate this month—we will continue to support BARMM with some Php 94.4 billion, 17 percent higher than its FY 2024 allocation.
In relation to this and to ensure effective governance, we have consistently pursued capacity-building efforts through DBM’s Public Financial Management Competency Programs. Also, I would like to congratulate OPAPRU on the successful first-ever ministerial-level International Conference on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS), which the Philippines hosted last October. Here, we were able to discuss the mainstreaming of Gender and Development initiatives in the region.
Truly, as the year draws to a close, we can be proud of the policies and programs we have successfully implemented.
Indeed, BARMM is a shining example of achieving peace through dialogue and the empowerment of local communities. Alhamdulillah!
Now, in seeking to ensure the continued success of BARMM, PBBM also instructed us to create an IGRB Manual of Operations. Following this directive, I hope that the program today will be fruitful in finalizing the Manual, to ensure the continuity of the process of resolving Intergovernmental Relations issues as the transition period ends after the first regular elections in the BARMM.
Indeed, it is heartwarming to see that the whole world is not only watching but rooting for the success of BARRM—that is why we have to continue to work hard.
Hence, I look forward to a productive IGRB year-end assessment, so we can continue to deliver quality and responsive public services to our Muslim brothers and sisters. Together, let us continue making history and working together for lasting peace, good governance, and genuine prosperity. Insha Allah!
Mabuhay ang IGRB! Mabuhay ang Bagong BARMM at ang Bagong Pilipinas!
Wabillahi Tawfiq Wal Hidaya, Wasalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu.
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