Solons push for the extension of BARMM transition period

MANILA – Some lawmakers at the House of Representatives have expressed support for the extension of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) government’s transition period.

During the joint meeting of the House Committee on Muslim Affairs and the Special Committee on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity on Tuesday, Maguindanao Rep. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu said an extension of another three years of the transition period is “not only justifiable but an unavoidable necessity”.

He stressed the struggles the Bangsamoro region underwent before the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) was signed in 2014, noting that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fought against the Philippine Government for more than four decades and peace negotiations lasted for 17 years.

He said another four years passed before the legislation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law was enacted in 2018.

“The people of the BARMM had overwhelmingly ratified the BOL, with their full knowledge of the interim mandate of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority to prepare the new autonomous regional government for the benefit of the Bangsamoro. Thus, extending their mandate to 2025 is a realization of our promise to the Bangsamoro people,” he said.

Deputy Speaker Isidro Ungab, meanwhile, said the pandemic has greatly affected and undeniably delayed the full implementation of the BARMM Law.

“With the proposed postponement of the BARMM elections, the national government and the autonomous regional government will have more time to generate and properly allocate the needed resources, legislate on the priority codes, build bureaucracy, and set up office and other institutions for the effective functioning of government and the delivery of social services,” Ungab said.

He said the proposed extension would enable a strong and stable regional government and economy, directed to hasten the smooth implementation of the BARMM Law and geared towards the attainment of genuine peace and development in the region.

Maguindanao Rep. Datu Roonie Sinsuat Sr. said it is proper to give enough and sufficient time for MILF and the national government to accomplish their respective duties included in the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).

He stressed the need to make adjustments in the timelines and to extend the period of transition for another three years.

“We have to understand the context and complexity of the transition from ARMM to BARMM. Undeniably, the Bangsamoro Government faced multifarious issues and challenges during the first half of the transition period. In this regard, conceding that some of the timelines provided for in the Bangsamoro Organic Law are no longer realistic,” Sinsuat said.