BARMM Chief Minister Al-Haj Murad Ebrahim: Part of 2020-2024 funds from Bangsamoro Government for Sulu infrastructure projects — Regular funds: District 1, Php5,918,460,000; District 2, Php5,171,310,000. TDIF: District 1, Php508,185,455.58 while District 2 received Php115,826,320.29
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COTABATO CITY (SDN) — Led by Party President Ahod Balawag “Al-Haj Murad” Ebrahim, the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) enjoyed a warm welcome on Sunday, July 28, 2024, from the people of Sulu.
Aside from Ebrahim, chair of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), other UBJP stalwarts included Executive Vice President/Vice President for Central Mindanao Mohagher M. Iqbal, Secretary General Abdulrauf Macacua, Member of the Parliament (MP) Dr. Kadil Sinolinding, and other party officials and members from the Bangsamoro mainland, traveled to Sulu for the UBJP Provincial Assembly.
Iqbal is education minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Macacua is governor of Maguindanao del Norte, Sinolinding is health minister.
Estimates by party members put the Tausug people who attended the assembly at the compound of Notre Dame College (NDC) at from 50,000 to 100,000.
The province is a known stronghold of the Bangsamoro Grand Coalition (BGC) of three regional and one provincial parties, with Tan as their bet for the coveted position of chief minister.
But at least for a day, the UBJP’s “invasion” of the island province was a success, obviously, as party officials, members, and supporters from all over Sulu, once known as the “kidnapping capital of the Philippines”, trooped to the assembly in cars and on foot from various municipalities, eager to hear what the party leaders were about to say.
Speaking in the Filipino language, BARMM Chief Minister Ebrahim, expressed joy being embraced by the people of the province.
“I am happy to be here in Sulu with our Tausug brothers for the General Assembly of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party or UBJP. Our assembly today is a huge success for all of us. For the inclusive government we are establishing, we are one with you in our goal of promoting a better life for the Bangsamoro,” he emphasizes.
He related that he went around the Bangsamoro region in the past days to check on UBJP members and fellow Bangsamoro.
“Our assemblies are being held to speak with and listen to everyone about the steps that needed to be done for the continued reform in the Bangsamoro Homeland,” Ebrahim points out.
He said in the party assemblies in Lanao del Sur he was with over 100,000 UBJP members; 15,000 in the Special Geographic Area (SGA), Basilan and Tawi-Tawi; 30,000 in Cotabato City; and more or less 170,000 in Central Mindanao. All of them, he said, are members of the MILF and UBJP.
“Sa aking pag-iikot, iisa lamang ang sigaw ng bawat isa — at ito ang pagpapatuloy sa ating ginagawang reporma at pagbabago sa Bangsamoro Government na pinamumunuan ng inyong likod at ng Partido nating UBJP,” he narrates.
(Translation: In my going around, there is only one clamor — that is, to continue the reform we are implementing and the changes in the Bangsamoro Government headed by at your service and our party that is UBJP.)
Ebrahim continued his speech, informing the people of Sulu of his accomplishments as BARMM top executive.
Ebrahim relays BARMM interventions in Sulu via infrastructure projects
He said starting from the time he assumed the BARMM leadership, there were many works done and completed, as he praised Allah with Alhamdulillah. These projects were being awaited by many in the region and experienced them only during BARMM — programs on health, education and infrastructure.
“We already have started and passed laws. We have many functioning mechanisms about quick response, and many more to come.”
The UBJP president said in Sulu the BARMM government had already provided 27 Barangay Hall Buildings, adding plus nine others distributed during the assembly.
Aside from this, he said the BARMM government will also provide a Fire Station, a Water Supply Desalination Facility. “Ongoing construction is our Provincial Emergency Operation Center aimed to respond in times of calamity,” said Ebrahim.
The Indanan Public Marker will also be opened for business which is sure to perk up the municipality’s economy.
From 2020 to 2024, the funds allocated to Sulu, he pointed out, for infrastructure projects are as follows: District 1, Php5,918,460,000; District 2, Php5,171,310,000.
Inclusive of the funds for Sulu infrastructures, the UBJP president pointed out, are projects for constructing bridges, drainage or flood control, water system, and many others of which the money is from the BARMM coffers or regular funds.
He said funds for Sulu from the Bangsamoro Government’s Transitional Development Impact Fund (TDIF), for District 1, Php508,185,455.58 while District 2 received Php115,826,320.29 with the money aimed at elevating the life of every Bangsamoro in the province.
“These are only some of the interventions that BARMM can be proud of in Sulu.
“Our accomplishments and what we started in the transition period is not mine. It’s the MILF’s either, but yours. Let us remember that everything started with you. We can say that because our only capital is Allah’s Guidance and your trust,” said Ebrahim.
He underscored that the Sulu assembly shows the MILF is serious, through its political arm — UBJP, that it is officially participating in the first-ever parliamentary election in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.
“So, we are one in the clamor and push for a clean, trustworthy, genuine and lawful election in 2025.
“In the UBJP with our tireless party workers and party officials, our vision is clear — the advancement of an inclusive way of governance where everyone is a part in fulfilling the making of a Principled and Genuine Political Party in BARMM,” Ebrahim says.
After the assembly, the UBJP opened its provincial headquarters in Sulu. (/)