Ched Rick Gatchalian

Muslim women pray during a campaign rally supporting the Bangsamoro Organic Law. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

 

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Marcos Jr. assures national support for Bangsamoro government on BARMM’s 7th anniversary

Hernel Tocmo

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176898602990620190125-muslims.jpg" style="width:960px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Muslim women pray during a campaign rally supporting the Bangsamoro Organic Law. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN NewsDAVAO — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. cited gains and developments in the Bangsamoro region since the inception of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in January 2019, as he attended the region’s 7th founding anniversary on Wednesday.</div>BARMM was created following decades of armed conflict in Mindanao and a long peace process between the Philippine government and Moro groups. In 2018, Congress passed the Bangsamoro Organic Law, which laid the legal foundation for a new and more empowered autonomous government to replace the former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).The law was ratified through a plebiscite in early 2019, leading to the formal establishment of BARMM later that year as part of efforts to achieve lasting peace, self-governance, and development in the region.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/8/29/barmm-chief-comelec-must-uphold-law-distributing-7-sulu-seats-1837">BARMM chief: Comelec must uphold law distributing 7 Sulu seats</a></div>“Over the past years, we have witnessed the changes and the gradual development of BARMM. The aspirations of our Muslim brothers and sisters are supported and sustained. Institutions were strengthened. And most importantly, the bond between national and Bangsamoro government has deepened,” the President said.Marcos Jr. also described the establishment of BARMM as a landmark in the fight to achieve genuine progress and unity, and as proof that sacrifice, dialogue, and unity are the keys to lasting peace.“Gumaganda na yung BARMM. And the feeling I get as I drive through Cotabato, is that there is a change in the sentiment of the people. There is hope that future is going to be bright,” he said before the Bangsamoro people in Cotabato City on Wednesday.Despite BARMM’s achievements, Marcos Jr. said there is still work to be done, stressing that peace remains a vital foundation for progress.The President also assured continued support for BARMM from the national government.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/8/28/bangsamoro-chief-oks-law-on-distributing-7-seats-ahead-of-polls-1327">Bangsamoro chief OKs law on distributing 7 seats ahead of polls</a></div>He further expressed hope that the upcoming BARMM elections would serve as an opportunity for the Bangsamoro people to freely express their voices and aspirations through the election of their leaders.Marcos Jr. likewise urged the public to always choose unity and cooperation over division.He also explained why the Bangsamoro government has a significant advantage.“In a very true sense, the Bangsamoro government will have a big advantage, perhaps even over other regional governments and even the national government,” he said.“I say that because you are creating a government on a blank sheet of paper. You do not need to make the same mistakes that everybody else has done in the past,” he added.Meanwhile, BARMM Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua also laid out the accomplishments of his administration.He said the local economy in the Bangsamoro region has improved, more people are employed, health workers have reached communities once left behind, social protection programs have served hundreds of thousands of families, and more than 500 infrastructure projects have been completed.Macacua also presented his upcoming plans, saying he does not intend to change direction but rather to amplify what has already begun.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/9/16/supreme-court-issues-tro-vs-reallocation-of-sulu-s-parliamentary-seats-in-bangsamoro-1604">Supreme Court issues TRO vs reallocation of Sulu’s parliamentary seats in Bangsamoro</a></div>Meanwhile, the Bangsamoro Government Center was transformed into a cultural village, as provinces, cities, and municipalities under BARMM showcased their culture during the founding anniversary celebration.Each local government unit displayed creativity by decorating their respective cultural houses and presenting cultural dances, clothing, food, and traditions. Various creative floats highlighting Bangsamoro pride were paraded, while social services and other activities were also held as part of the anniversary celebration.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. cited gains and developments in the Bangsamoro region since the inception of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in January 2019, as he attended the region’s 7th founding anniversary on Wednesday.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. cited gains and developments in the Bangsamoro region since the inception of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in January 2019, as he attended the region’s 7th founding anniversary on Wednesday.