Minister Mohagher Iqbal, members of the Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB), ladies and gentlemen, my colleagues in the National Government and the Bangsamoro Government, good afternoon.
Assalamu alaikum wa Raḥmatullahi wa Barakatuh.
This meeting comes at the most relevant time as we are celebrating the National Peace Consciousness Month. Peace is indeed something we must truly bear in mind as we prepare for the first-ever, long-awaited BARMM Parliamentary Elections, which is just a month away!
As I mentioned in our 4th IGRB Progress Report, we have made significant strides in preparing for this pivotal turning point in BARMM’s history—one where the region will truly thrive in autonomy and genuine prosperity.
As you know, we are very proud of having activated and operationalized all seven IGR mechanisms, which provide platforms for strengthened partnership between BARMM and the National Government, and serve as the basis for all laws and policies enacted by the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament.
We have likewise achieved significant breakthroughs, including the immediate publication of the IGRB Manual of Operations and the approval of the guidelines on Official Development Assistance (ODA) loans to BARMM—all of which attest to our commitment to lasting peace and inclusive growth for BARMM and the entire country.
On our end, for the National Government, we have consistently prioritized BARMM in our Agenda for Prosperity.
The FY 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP) allocates a total of Php 104.57 billion to support peace and development in the region. This includes the Php 93.98 billion Annual Block Grant, an increase from this year’s Php 83.4 billion, which is the share of the Bangsamoro Government in the national internal revenue tax collections, supporting the region in exercising its powers, mandates, and functions.
This amount also provides for the Special Development Fund, amounting to Php 5.0 billion, which supports the rebuilding, rehabilitation, and development of conflict-affected communities.
Meanwhile, some Php 5.9 billion is appropriated for the shares of BARMM in taxes, fees, and charges under the Bangsamoro Organic Law.
This reflects our commitment to BARMM, as eloquently stated in President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s message during the Local Government Peace and Development Summit just a few days ago: “The entire government shares the vision of lasting peace and sustainable development across the Bangsamoro region.”
This afternoon, we are happy, finally—Alhamdulillah—to sign the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on the administration and management of the Hajj Mission for 2026 and beyond between the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) and the Bangsamoro Pilgrimage Authority (BPA).
The proposed Agreement authorizes the participation of BPA personnel not only in supervising and assisting BARMM pilgrims but also in immersing themselves in the operations managed by the NCMF, thereby building institutional knowledge and capacity for future Hajj administration. This is proof that we are, indeed, reaping the fruits of our sustained coordination and strong collaboration, not only in budget and management, but more so in peace, faith, and development.
We will likewise continue our discussions on the Supreme Court ruling on the exclusion of the Province of Sulu from BARMM.
Just last August 29, we conducted the first meeting of the Technical Working Group (TWG) on Sulu where the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), in coordination with the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and with prior consultation with the LGUs and the Bangsamoro Government, agreed to develop and issue the guidelines on or before October 15, 2025 to ensure the fair, orderly, and transparent implementation of the transition.
Finally, we will discuss the conversion of existing Contract of Service positions into contractual employment status under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) of BARMM.
These are just some of the items that we will strive to cover in this afternoon’s meeting.
Alhamdulillah! We have come so far!
But we must continue to move forward.
Needless to say, we, in the IGRB, will sustain our momentum and continue working together to fulfill the aspirations of the people of BARMM and the entire nation, including and most especially the next generations.
Ipinagdarasal po namin ang darating na eleksyon sa October. Sana, ito po ay maging matagumpay at mapayapa. Ang buong Pilipinas po, including the international community, will take part and make sure na nandiyan po tayo para makipag-cooperate at makipag-collaborate para masiguro natin na mapayapa at maayos ang darating na eleksyon. Good luck! All the best!
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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