(SDN) — Muslim Mindanao has been haunted by “ghosts” of many kinds, particularly in the time of the unlamented Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
Ghost voters, ghost teachers, ghost employees, and ghost buildings.
With the name “Bangsamoro” added to ARMM and transformed into BARMM in 2019, things are changing little by little, a step at a time.
Thanks to the Ministry of Interior and Local Government (MILG) headed by a youthful lawyer, Minister Naguib B. Sinarimbo, the BARMM landscape is transforming.
His ministry is practically changing the physical landscape of some BARMM communities. Perhaps, others will follow.
It was only over two months ago the Bangsamoro government broke grounds for the construction of Municipal Hall Buildings and Municipal Police Stations in Lanao del Sur (LDS) and Maguindanao, two of the BARMM component provinces.
The BARMM territory is comprised of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, and the cities of Lamitan, Marawi, and Cotabato.
Sinarimbo said the Bangsamoro Government’s infrastructure projects mentioned above are being funded by his MILG.
A few days back he reported on the progress of the construction of the Municipal Hall Buildings and Municipal Police Stations, such as in:
- Lumbaca Unayan, LDS
- Sultan Dumalondong, LDS
- Butig, LDS
- Poona Bayabao, LDS
- Pandag, Maguindanao
Along with the Town Halls, the MILG is also keeping track of the progress of the police stations’ construction, apparently making sure they will not turn into ghosts in the hands of any recalcitrant and recidivist local government executives.
Gone are the days of no accountability, it seems is the message of the BARMM-MILG.
“We are also fast-tracking the implementation of Municipal Police Station projects in key locations at the Bangsamoro. This is the progress of the construction of the following MPS,” Sinarimbo reported.
- He was referring to the MPS in Amai Manabilang, LDS
- Marantao, LDS
- Rajah Buayan, Maguindanao
- Datu Blah Sinsuat, Maguindanao.
He said that, “By far the most advance (construction) is Rajah Buayan.”
The MILG projects in photographs:
The construction fever ongoing is part of the agenda of BARMM Interim Chief Minister Ahod Balawag “Al-Hajj Murad” Ebrahim.
As the pandemic spilt over to the Bangsamoro Region, implementation of various projects has slowed down a bit, but the MILG is showing it can still make a difference despite the trying times.
In the pipeline are other construction projects in other BARMM areas also funded by the MILG. (✓)