COTABATO CITY โ Top officials of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have expressed their appreciation for Cotabato Governor Emmylou Taliรฑo Mendozaโs unwavering support for Muslim communities in the province, including the 63 Bangsamoro barangays now under the autonomous region.
Despite these barangays no longer being under the jurisdiction of the Cotabato provincial government, Mendoza reaffirmed her commitment to peace and development efforts for all communitiesโMuslim, Christian, and indigenousโduring her State of the Province Address on March 18 in Kidapawan City.
Strengthening Ties Between BARMM and Cotabato Province
The 63 Bangsamoro barangays, which were integrated into BARMM following the 2019 plebiscite, have been organized into eight new municipalities. While they fall under the governance of the Bangsamoro regional government, they still benefit from the programs and services of the Cotabato provincial government, thanks to Mendozaโs continued assistance.
Three key BARMM ministersโMuslimin Sema (Labor and Employment), Kadil Sinolinding Jr. (Health), and Paisalin Tago (Transportation and Communications)โacknowledged Mendozaโs efforts in a series of statements on March 22.
They highlighted how her administration has remained open and responsive to the needs of the Bangsamoro communities.
Continued Services for Bangsamoro Residents
Minister Muslimin Sema, who also chairs the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), emphasized that the governorโs message signaled an open-door policy for the residents of the 63 barangays.
โIn context, the State of the Province Address of the lady governor indicated that the doors to her office shall remain open to residents of the 63 Bangsamoro barangays needing basic services,โ Sema said.
The MNLF, which has a strong presence in these areas, has maintained peace through its 1996 peace agreement with the government. Sema also noted that his office has been implementing labor and employment projects in the Bangsamoro Special Geographic Area (SGA), demonstrating a continued commitment to economic empowerment.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Kadil Sinolinding Jr., a physician-ophthalmologist, highlighted that despite the shift in governance, Mendozaโs administration never stopped providing healthcare support to SGA residents.
Local officials and traditional Moro leaders have also acknowledged that government and private hospitals in Cotabato province continue to serve Bangsamoro residents, with medical costs still covered by the Cotabato provincial government.
Minister Paisalin Tago, who oversees BARMMโs transportation and communications sector, commended Mendoza for supporting the Bangsamoro government’s efforts to strengthen the eight newly established municipalities. He is currently working on improving telecommunications in the SGA to enhance connectivity and accessibility for residents.
A Shared Commitment to Peace
Sinolinding emphasized the importance of the strong relationship between BARMM and the Cotabato provincial government, especially in the context of the peace agreements with both the MNLF and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
โWhat is good here is that we have a provincial government in Cotabato province in Region 12 whose officials are known for their active patronage of the governmentโs separate peace processes with the MNLF and the MILF,โ he said.
As the Bangsamoro region continues to develop, the partnership between BARMM and Cotabato province stands as a testament to the power of collaboration, unity, and a shared vision for lasting peace in Mindanao.
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