COTABATO CITY, Philippines — The Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) has formally asked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to appoint Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo Jr. as the national government’s co-chairperson of the Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB), citing the need for continuity as the Bangsamoro region enters a critical political transition.
In a resolution adopted on December 17, the 80-member interim Bangsamoro Parliament endorsed Lagdameo to replace former co-chair Amenah Pangandaman, whose resignation left the post vacant. The resolution, numbered 775, underscores the importance of sustained high-level coordination between the national government and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
BTA: IGRB is Relevant
The IGRB is mandated under the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) to serve as the primary mechanism for managing relations between BARMM and the national government. It addresses governance concerns through consultation and negotiation, and is tasked to exhaust all means to resolve disputes before elevating unresolved issues to the Office of the President through the BARMM chief minister.
Since its establishment in 2019, the IGRB has functioned as a key platform for dialogue on governance, fiscal arrangements, infrastructure development, and socio-economic cooperation. National and Bangsamoro officials have used the body to align policies and address overlapping mandates.
The IGRB’s role expanded in November 2023 with the activation of its seven intergovernmental mechanisms, including the Philippine Congress–Bangsamoro Parliament Forum, the Intergovernmental Fiscal Policy Board, and the Intergovernmental Infrastructure Development Board. These mechanisms were designed to provide specialized venues for resolving legislative, fiscal, infrastructure, energy, and development concerns affecting both governments.
Strong National Attention on Bangsamoro
In recent years, the body has also facilitated concrete agreements, such as the establishment of a Professional Regulation Commission regional office in BARMM and the revival of a Department of Foreign Affairs consular presence in Cotabato City—moves aimed at improving service delivery and integrating national regulatory functions in the region.
The resolution comes as BARMM prepares for its first fully elected parliamentary government, ending years of transition under the BTA. Interim Chief Minister Abdulrauf Macacua, appointed by President Marcos in March 2025, is currently overseeing preparations for the historic parliamentary elections.
Lawmakers said appointing Lagdameo, a senior presidential adviser, could help maintain strong national attention on Bangsamoro affairs during the transition. They stressed that continuity in IGRB leadership is critical as BARMM navigates complex electoral, fiscal, and administrative challenges while consolidating its autonomous governance structures.
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