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PASIG CITY – With the first Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) regional parliamentary elections just a month away, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) reaffirmed its steadfast support to the Bangsamoro peace process during the 23rd Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB) meeting on Friday, September 5.
In his welcome remarks, IGRB co-chairperson for the Bangsamoro government, Mohagher Iqbal, emphasized that regardless of the outcome of the region’s first parliamentary elections, the MILF’s commitment to peace remains steadfast.
The MILF currently heads the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), the interim Bangsamoro government that was established after the passage of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).
The BOL operationalizes the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), the landmark peace deal signed by the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and MILF in 2014 that ended decades of armed conflict in Mindanao.
Unwavering resolve
“And whatever the result, our commitment to peace and development in the BARMM and the consolidation and strengthening of the institutions that we helped build during our term under the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, including this very august body – the Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB) – remains resolute,” Iqbal declared.
He also underscored the importance of the IGRB as a mechanism for dialogue and cooperation between the national and Bangsamoro governments.
“Over the years, the IGRB has provided a steady platform for engagement – one where both the National and Bangsamoro Governments can clarify policies, harmonize systems, and bridge differences through dialogue. And I believe that today’s meeting is no different. Our agenda reflects both the urgency of immediate concerns and the long-term priorities that will shape the future of the Bangsamoro and our partnership with the National Government,” Iqbal added.
“As we move closer to the first regular parliamentary elections in BARMM, the IGRB has a crucial role to play in ensuring that national and regional agencies work in tandem on matters such as logistics, security, and resource coordination,” he said.
BARMM, top priority of national government
For her part, IGRB co-chairperson for the national government, Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman, stressed that the national government “[has] consistently prioritized BARMM in our Agenda for Prosperity.”
Pangandaman said that the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP) allocated a total of Php104.57 billion to support peace and development initiatives in the region.
“This includes the Php93.98 billion Annual Block Grant, an increase from this year’s Php83.4 billion, which is the share of the Bangsamoro Government in the national internal revenue tax collections, supporting the region in exercising its powers and functions,” she explained.
Pangandaman also noted that the national government also provides a Special Development Fund (SDF), amounting to Php5 billion, which supports the rebuilding, rehabilitation, and development of conflict-affected communities in the region.
Pangandaman said some Php5.9 billion is appropriated for the shares of BARMM in taxes, fees, and charges under the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).
She echoed President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s message during the Local Government Peace and Development Summit in August, where he said, “The entire government shares the vision of lasting peace and sustainable development across the Bangsamoro region.”
“We, in the IGRB, will sustain our momentum and continue working together to fulfill the aspirations of the people of BARMM and the entire nation, including and most especially the next generations,” Pangandaman said.
IGRB’s support to BARMM pilgrims
To ensure the safe, dignified, and well-coordinated participation of Bangsamoro pilgrims in the annual Hajj to Makkah, the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos–Bureau of Pilgrimage and Endowment (NCMF-BPE) and the Bangsamoro Pilgrimage Authority (BARMM-BPA) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) during the 23rd IGRB meeting on September 5, this city.
The MOA signing, facilitated by the IGRB, established a partnership between NCMF-BPE and BARMM-BPA to administer the annual Hajj for pilgrims coming from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Under the agreement, BPA personnel are authorized to supervise BARMM pilgrims, allowing the former to be immersed in Hajj operations.
In his message delivered by Dr. Norodin D. Salam, BPA Executive Director, Ustadz Said Z. Salendab expressed their gratitude to the IGRB and NCMF.
“Without your support, this Memorandum of Agreement would not have reached this stage. Your cooperation and hard work made this possible, despite the many challenges we faced together,” Salendab said.
“[T]his partnership between the NCMF and BPA will continue to strengthen and bring more meaningful service to our Muslim brothers and sisters embarking on this sacred journey,” he added.
According to NCMF Secretary Sabuddin N. Abdurahim, the MOA signing is not only historic but a fulfillment of a promise to the Bangsamoro people.
Abdurahim said he made a commitment during the first IGRB meeting that he attended, “to respect the autonomy of BARMM and to onboard the autonomous region in the sacred operations of the Hajj.”
“My prayer is that this agreement marks the beginning of a long journey between BARMM and the NCMF,” he added.
He emphasized that this partnership “is not just administrative –it is spiritual. It is a journey of collaboration, of shared responsibility, and of unwavering dedication to the welfare of every Muslim Filipino pilgrim who seeks to fulfill the fifth pillar of Islam.” (/)