MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)–A provincial weeklong celebration to mark the fifth anniversary of the foundation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) kicked off in Marawi City on Monday, Jan. 22.
Organized by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Human Settlements and Development (MHSD), the event commenced with a parade from Marawi City Hall to the Marawi Convention Center, where a commemorative program was held.
Lawyer Paisalin Tago, MOTC Minister, stated that the BARMM government is bringing the weeklong celebration to the region’s provinces to foster patriotism and pride among the Bangsamoro people in localities, reminding them of the sacrifices that led to the creation of BARMM.
Bangsamoro ladies proudly wave BARMM flags in a parade to celebrate the 5th Bangsamoro Foundation Day anniversary. (Photo courtesy of Provincial Government of Lanao del Sur)
“We are celebrating so that the Bangsamoro people can feel that there is an autonomous government that is now governing our area, and we must be proud of that,” he said.
Among the highlights of the opening program were inspirational messages from BARMM officials led by Deputy Chief Minister Ali Solaiman, City Mayor Majul Gandamra, and some Members of Parliament (MP) who hail from Lanao del Sur province.
During the program, Minister Tago, also the deputy speaker of the BARMM Parliament, handed over P1.5 million to the Integrated Provincial Health Office for medical supplies and materials and other medical assistance programs. Wheelchairs, reading glasses, and medical supplies were also distributed to qualified beneficiaries.
Moreover, MHSD turned over a one-storey human development center worth P7 million, intended to serve as a training center for youth, cooperatives, and farmers/fisheries associations in Masiu municipality.
A scholar of the Bangsamoro Assistance for Science Education (BASE)-Merit Program receives her free tablet from the Ministry of Science and Technology during the 5th Bangsamoro Foundation Day anniversary program in Marawi City. (Photo: ZRD/PIA-10 Lanao del Sur)
The Ministry of Science and Technology’s Provincial Office distributed STARBOOKs and laboratory apparatus to 13 schools, along with tablets for 19 scholars under the Bangsamoro Assistance for Science Education (BASE)-Merit Program.
Various ministries of the BARMM government also opened booths at the Marawi Convention Center, providing free services to walk-in clients until January 26, 2024.
To recall, the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law through the plebiscite on January 21, 2019 paved the way for BARMM creation. Because of this historic milestone, the BARMM government declared January 21 as the Bangsamoro Foundation Day, marking it with weeklong festivities.
This year, the celebration carries the theme: “A Journey Towards Mutual Understanding, Peaceful Co-existence, and a Shared Future in the Bangsamoro.” (APB/PIA-10 Lanao del Sur)
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