PASAY CITY – The Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB) continues to strengthen and build on the synergy between the national and Bangsamoro governments, citing its major accomplishments under the Marcos administration.
In her opening message during its fifteenth IGRB meeting on Thursday, July 27, Budget and Management Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman reported that the body was able to reconvene and activate six out of seven IGR mechanisms, which are contained in the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).
“I am also glad to note that we have activated most of our IGR mechanisms. Out of the seven IGR mechanisms provided in the Bangsamoro Organic Law, six have already been reconvened,” Pangandanam, who serves as IGRB co-chairperson for the national government side, said.
“The last remaining mechanism, which is the creation of the Council of Leaders, is already scheduled to convene on August 9, 2023,” she added.
Other IGR mechanisms include Philippine Congress-Bangsamoro Parliament Forum (PCBPF); Intergovernmental Fiscal Policy Board (IFPB); Joint Body for the Zones of Joint Cooperation (JBZJC); Intergovernmental Infrastructure Development Board (IIDB); Intergovernmental Energy Board (IEB); and Bangsamoro Sustainable Development Board (BSDB).
Pangandaman disclosed the recent signing of Proclamation No. 298, which lifted the declaration of the State of National Emergency issued in 2016 due to the outbreak of lawlessness and violence.
“[The national government has already made significant gains in enhancing and restoring peace and order in Mindanao through successful focused military and law enforcement operations and programs that promote sustainable and inclusive peace,” she noted.
For his part, Minister Mohagher Iqbal, IGRB co-chair for the Bangsamoro government side, underscored the significance of the recent signing of the EIB Circular on the Joint Award of Petroleum Service Contracts and Coal Operating Contracts in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
“The signing of the circular signals both of our governments’ strong commitment towards harnessing the region’s resources for the betterment of our people. By responsibly managing these resources, we can foster economic growth and uplift the lives of all those who call this region home,” Iqbal said.
He expressed confidence that the national and Bangsamoro governments will continue to strengthen its partnership through the IGRB.
“As we move forward, let us remain steadfast in our dedication to the welfare of the people. May our discussions be marked by empathy, cooperation, and a shared vision for a brighter future,” Iqbal said.
“Together, we can overcome any obstacle and seize every opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of the people we serve,” he added.
MILF and MNLF members in Philippine police
Iqbal also lauded the ongoing recruitment process that will allow the entry of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) members into the Philippine National Police (PNP).
“We are pleased that the recruitment process has started. There were more than 1,000 applicants who underwent the recruitment process that will hopefully produce 400 patrolmen and patrolwomen which would help in upholding the peace in the region,” he said.
National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) Comm. Alberto A. Bernardo expressed his full support to the ongoing recruitment process, saying “we’ll exhaust all resources to comply with the commitments of the SILG (Secretary of Interior and Local Government).”
“We are all here to show commitment, from the chief of the Philippine National Police, National Police Commission and DILG. We commit to producing 400 (new PNP recruits coming from the MILF and MNLF) this year,” said Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr., as he affirmed his support to the process.
The BOL, as the enabling law of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), defines the requirements that MILF and MNLF members must comply with to gain entry into the PNP.
Article 11, Section 2, Paragraph 3 of the BOL states that: “To facilitate entry into the PNP of MILF and MNLF members from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, the age, height and educational attainment requirements may be waived by the NAPOLCOM, subject to existing rules and regulations: Provided, That such shall be availed of within a period of five (5) years from ratification of this Organic Law: Provided, further, That the requirement of educational attainment shall be complied within fifteen (15) years from their entry: Provided, finally, That their ranks and grades shall be subject to existing laws, rules and regulations governing the PNP.”
On May 19, 2022, the NAPOLCOM and the PNP conducted the NAPOLCOM Special Qualifying Eligibility Examination (NSQEE) for MILF and MNLF members who wish to enter the police force.
The NSQEE was held simultaneously in schools in Cotabato City for applicants coming from the mainland provinces, and in Lamitan City, Basilan for those residing in the island-provinces of the BARMM.
Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Sec. Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. thanked the PNP for ensuring the successful conduct of the examinations.
“They (PNP) have walked an extra mile to ensure successful processing of more than 11,000 applications. The dream of having a professional police in the Bangsamoro, this is it,” Galvez said.
Key role in sustaining peace in the Bangsamoro
Galvez reaffirmed President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s steadfast support to the BARMM and its leadership, which the latter underscored during his recent State of the Nation Address.
“The President is very pleased and proud of the progress made by the BARMM government. This has been made possible with the help of the IGRB, which continues to play a key role in resolving pressing issues and concerns between the national and the Bangsamoro government, while pushing for increased peace, security and development in the region,” he said.
“The President is pleased to see the strong collaboration among national line agencies, BARMM ministries and other key sectors. This is precisely what the IGRB have been doing – engaging and involving all stakeholders and finding creative solutions to the concerns affecting the region,” Galvez added.
The peace adviser expressed his gratitude to the collegial body for its “strong faith in the complex but crucial process of building stronger and better relations between the BARMM and the national governments.”
Under Section 2, Article VI of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, the IGRB was created to coordinate and resolve issues between the two parties through regular consultation and continuing negotiation in a non-adversarial manner.
Members of the IGRB from the national government who also attended the meeting included Special Assistant to the President Sec. Antonio Ernesto F. Lagdameo Jr.; Department of Finance Undersecretary Bayani Agabin; Department of Energy Undersecretary Giovanni Carlo J. Bacordo; Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Zamzamin L. Ampatuan; National Economic and Development Authority Undersecretary Carlos Bernardo O. Abad Santos; Department of National Defense Undersecretary Ignacio B. Madriaga; Department of Transportation Assistant Secretary Ricardo E. Alfonso, Jr. PNP Chief PGEN Benjamin C. Acorda, Jr also attended the meeting.
Representing the IGRB from the Bangsamoro government were Senior Min. Abunawas L. Maslamama; Deputy Speaker Lanang T. Ali, Jr.; Minister of Finance and Budget Management Ubaida C. Pacasem; Minister of the Interior and Local Government Naguib G. Sinarimbo; Minister of Social Services and Development Raissa H. Jajurie; Minister of Public Works Eduard U. Guerra; Minister of Transportation and Communications Paisalin C. Tago; Minister of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy Akmad A. Brahim; Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform Mohammad S. Yacob; Assistant Cabinet Secretary MP. Anna Tarhata S. Basman; Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Deputy Speaker MP Hatimil Hassan; and BTA Members of Parliament Engr. Don Mustapha A. Loong, Atty. Jose I. Lorena, Romeo K. Sema. Minister of Labor and Employment Muslimin G. Sema attended the meeting as a resource person, while Sittie Farhanie Uy-Oyod and Atty. Ariff A. Lao. ###
