In what was described as “a great moment for the peace and progress of Mindanao,” government stakeholders took major steps towards realizing the substantial and functional autonomy of the Bangsamoro Region.
Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez and other key Cabinet officials met with representatives of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) led by Minister Mohagher Iqbal of the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education on Monday to thresh out the terms of reference (TOR) of the newly formed National Government-Bangsamoro Government Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB) as well as other concerns related to the new Bangsamoro region.
Dominguez described the day as “a great moment for the peace and progress of Mindanao.”
He also said the activity is a major step forward in realizing the substantial and functional autonomy envisioned in the Bangsamoro Organic Law.
“Today, we are holding the first meeting of the National Government Bangsamoro Government Intergovernmental Relations Body. The establishment of this Body underscores the commitment of President Rodrigo Duterte to the achievement of a just and lasting peace in Mindanao.
It provides an institutional mechanism for sustained cooperation and coordination between the agencies established b the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao or BARM and those of the National Government. It is mandated to coordinate and resolve issues on intergovernmental relations through regular consultations and continuing non-adversarial negotiations. It allows a mechanism for benchmarking the standards of good governance for all our agencies and ministries,” Dominguez said during the consultative meeting held in Marco Polo Davao.
Dominguez said that through this Intergovernmental Relations Body, government is hopeful to achieve an informed and constructive discussions aimed at exploring the best plausible solutions to transform points of differences into points of cooperation between the National Government and Bangsamoro Government.
“This will ensure that our policies and programs are service-oriented, people-centric, and transformative to bring tangible benefits and real change to the lives of the people in this region,” he said.
He is also optimistic that they will be able to thresh out the protocols and procedures as they go along.
“What is important is that we commence with the work of this vital institutional mechanism as well as move forward with the consolidation of all the institutions of regional autonomy,” he said.
Dominguez also considered the event as a historic initiative closely observed by concerned countries all over the world.
“I am confident that there is enough reserve of goodwill among the collaborating parties to make this initiative a success. Now, may I invite the participants of this meeting to begin working on the matters we have scheduled. Our people have invested so much in the dream of peace and prosperity for Mindanao. We cannot let them down,” he added.
The IGRB is mandated to coordinate and resolve issues on intergovernmental relations through regular consultations and continuing non-adversarial negotiations.
It also allows a mechanism for benchmarking the standards of good governance for all government agencies and BARMM ministries.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte approved the recommendation of OPAPP for the immediate establishment of the IGRB through a memorandum issued by the Office of the Executive Secretary on October 14, 2019.
As contained In the memorandum, the body was directed “to resolve issues brought before it and facilitate the creation of other intergovernmental relations bodies”.
