CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)–Five provincial governors in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) joined hands to cultivate a harmonious Bangsamoro region governed by the principles of lasting peace and order, strong rule of law, and inclusive governance and development.
Gov. Mamintal Alonto Adiong Jr. of Lanao del Sur, Gov. Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu of Maguindanao del Sur, Gov. Abdusakur Tan of Sulu, Gov. Hadjiman Hataman-Salliman of Basilan, and Gov. Yshmael Sali of Tawi-Tawi launched the BARMM Governors’ Caucus (BGC) here, June 6.
The caucus will serve as a platform that will advocate for and promote the resolution of issues identified by BARMM constituents as critical and needing immediate action.
Adiong, who hosted the BGC launch, said addressing these issues is key to promoting stability and inclusive development in the Bangsamoro region.
“Ang importante sa amin at maiparating namin sa buong BARMM kung ano itong caucus na ito para naman marinig ng ating national government at regional government kung ano itong programang ito na tungkol sa inclusive governance and development, peace and order, and rule of law,” he said.
(What is important to us is that we can convey to the whole BARMM what this caucus is so that our national government and regional government can hear that this program is about inclusive governance and development, peace and order, and the rule of law)
In the BGC manifesto, they noted that security challenges in the BARMM are not sufficiently addressed because of the unclear and overlapping mandates of law enforcement agencies and peace mechanisms. As such, they would reach out to both the national and regional governments and the peace mechanisms to improve coordination and interoperability in law enforcement in the region.
The BGC also calls for inclusive governance and development in BARMM to address feelings of marginalization among citizens, which trigger rebellion and violent extremism.
It also appealed to the regional government to immediately convene the council of leaders for greater participation and representation of local government units and sectoral groups in regional governance.
Meanwhile, Tan clarified that the BGC does not have other political motives but only enhances coordination between national and regional governments, peace mechanisms, and law enforcement agencies.
“Ang purpose ng caucus na ito ay hindi pag-usapan ang eleksyon. Una hindi tayo segurado dahil postpone ng postpone ang eleksyon, hindi tayo segurado kung may election. Baka premature na pag-usapan ang election. Ito ay pagtutulungan, wala kaming masamang balak, hindi ito para sirain kung hindi ayusin at bilisan natin ang mga dapat nating gawin,” he said.
(The purpose of this caucus is not to discuss the election. First, we are not sure because the election is always postponed. We are not sure if there will be an election. It might be premature to talk about the election. This is cooperation; we have no bad intentions; this is not to destroy but to fix and speed up what we have to do)
After the launch, the five governors will visit communities across the BARMM region to campaign for the BGC. (APB/PIA-10 Lanao del Sur)
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