Speech by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at the 7th Bangsamoro Foundation Day

Thank you to the Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo. [Please take your seats.]

The other Cabinet officials that are present with us today; of course, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao officials led by Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua – [applause] who just gave us a very thorough briefing on the plans that are ahead and I have to say, I was just telling him after he sat down, ika ko sa kanya, the programs that you presented here this afternoon are very much aligned with the national programs. [applause]

Therefore, take advantage of those national programs. Gamitin ninyo ‘yung mga national program [applause] to bring it here to Bangsamoro. And that way, if we work together, as we all know, whenever everybody works together there is a synergy. It’s not one plus one equals two; it’s one plus one sometimes three, sometimes four.

And so, that’s what we should do together, and that’s what we will always be doing with the Bangsamoro government.

The local chief executives of BARMM; the Bangsamoro Transition Authority Speaker Mohammad Yacob and other members of Parliament who have joined us; the Wali of the Bangsamoro Sheikh Muslim Guiamaden; fellow workers in government; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

Assalamu alaikum!

We commemorate today the 7th founding anniversary of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, which we have come to refer to as BARMM.

It marks an important chapter in our nation’s history, not just the history of Muslim Mindanao but of the entire Republic of the Philippines, and it is a mark – it is a landmark in our fight to achieve genuine progress and unity. It is proof that sacrifice, dialogue, and unity are the key to lasting peace.

In July 2018, the Bangsamoro Organic Law was enacted. This laid the groundwork for the creation of self-governance here in the BARMM.

Nearly eight months later, BARMM was formally inaugurated. With that milestone came the beginning of the mandate of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority.

The establishment of BARMM attests to the commitment of our government, of all sectors of society, of our brothers and sisters in the Bangsamoro, and of our friends in the international community to the pursuit of peace, of unity, and of progress.

It shows that public service becomes more meaningful when it is carried out in the spirit of solidarity and collaboration.

Over the past years, we have witnessed the changes and gradual development of the BARMM.

The aspirations of our Muslim brothers and sisters were supported and sustained. Institutions were strengthened. And most importantly, the bond between the national and Bangsamoro government has deepened.

My fellow Filipinos, we have come a long way. Still there is work to be done.

Peace is a vital foundation for progress, it is our shared responsibility to harness peace to further develop the region.

As I was driving here from the airport, I was looking around and as I commented also to the Speaker and to the Chief Minister that gumaganda na ‘yung BARMM. And what I see is… [applause] And the feeling I get as I drive through Cotabato, the feeling I get is that there is change in the sentiment of the people and there is hope that future is going to be bright. [applause] And that I think could be one of the great achievements of what we are doing especially in forming the Bangsamoro government. [applause]

So, let us continue to expand livelihood and economic opportunities in the BARMM. Let us raise the standard of living of every family in the region. And let us always prioritize the welfare of every Filipino.

As we pursue these goals, you can count on the national government to help you every step of the way. [applause]

It is our hope that the upcoming BARMM elections will serve as an opportunity for our Bangsamoro brothers and sisters to freely express their voices and aspirations.

We aspire to further strengthen a leadership that truly serves the people—one that reinforces democracy and accountability.

This is the kind of governance that we should pass on to the next generation.

A government rooted in accountability.

A system strengthened by participation.

And a nation guided by shared responsibility.

My fellow Filipinos, we must stand as guardians of the progress that we have made through peace.

Let us always choose unity and cooperation over division.

In a very true sense, the Bangsamoro government will have a big advantage perhaps even over other regional governments and even the national government. Why do I say that? I say that because you are creating a government from a blank sheet – on a blank sheet of paper. [applause] You do not need to make the same mistakes that everybody else has done in the past.

I’m sorry to say when we were talking about investment, what investment – what businessmen are really looking for, is that the ease of doing business. Madali – madaling magbukas ng korporasyon, madaling mag-register, hindi naman masyadong mahal ‘yung mga permit ganoon-ganoon. Iyan ang hinahanap natin.

Huwag ‘yung gagayahin ‘yung nangyari sa national government na patong-patong na ang regulation, tatlong taon bago mabigay ‘yung papel na napakasimple lang na bagay. [applause] And that is your opportunity – that is your opportunity that you can make your government into what exactly it is you want to make it. And I am very, very optimistic, and I’m very excited for the four – almost four and a half million residents here in the Bangsamoro that I see for them – I am very excited for them because I know that the future will be bright [applause] and that the Bangsamoro people will flourish, will flourish as you collect the dividends of peace.

So, together, let us build a Bagong Pilipinas marked by peace, by unity, and a shared belief in a brighter future.

Maraming salamat po. Mabuhay ang BARMM!

Mabuhay ang Bagong Pilipinas! [applause]

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