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PASAY CITY/COTABATO CITY — Engagement fuels the engine that drives the wheels of international relations among countries and government entities.
It’s one of the reasons that governments reach out to other governments in the global diplomatic arena, where bilateral cooperation, understanding, and friendship are played out for mutual benefits.
“No man is an island” is an oft-cited truism, which means, among others, that countries cannot survive solely on its own, and by itself. Everyone needs everyone.
In the case of the Philippines, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) presently headed by Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro is the bridge that connects the government to other governments in the global stage.
Apparently, this is one of the reasons that BARMM Parliament Speaker Mohammad S. Yacob, accompanied by some of his staff, paid a courtesy visit on the DFA on Tuesday, April 7, at the DFA Headquarters along Roxas Blvd., Pasay City, Metro Manila.
For isn’t it that a regional government with a stronger engagement with countries across the world would be a boon to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)?
In fact, the BARMM, as well as the now-defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) which the former replaced in January 2019, has already been a beneficiary of the international community as various governments are providing assistance in many kinds to sustain the Mindanao peace processes with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
The international community’s engagement with the BARMM is, of course, through the DFA, as is warranted with overseas relations outreach.
Yacob made the visit to the DFA to strengthen coordination on foreign engagements, improve services for the Bangsamoro, and advance capacity-building and development initiatives.
In a statement, the Office of the Speaker said that the visit underscored the importance of institutional coordination, particularly in aligning protocols for international engagements and fostering more effective partnerships with foreign stakeholders.
Future collaboration for economic growth, BARMM participation in regional, int’l platforms
The two parties’ discussions also focused on streamlining processes for official travel and documentation to ensure more efficient participation in international relations.
Their discussion covered key topics such as enhancing support mechanisms for Bangsamoro communities abroad, improving access to essential government services, and coordinating on cultural and religious matters. These initiatives reflect a broader commitment to responsive and inclusive governance.
In relation with the meeting, among the takeaways included the DFA expressing its readiness to support programs that build the capacity of the Bangsamoro government personnel, reinforcing efforts to promote professionalism and institutional effectiveness in the region.
The two parties also explored future collaboration, including initiatives aimed at economic growth and expanding the Bangsamoro’s participation in regional and international platforms.
Yacob’s visit concluded with a shared commitment to sustained coordination and partnership, advancing the common goal of peace, development, and meaningful global engagement for the Bangsamoro.
Established in 2018 by the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) to implement the 2014 CAB, the Bangsamoro region is made up of the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, and Tawi-Tawi, the cities of Cotabato, Lamitan, and Marawi, as well as the Special Geographic Area (SGA) composed of new municipalities in North Cotabato but under the BARMM jurisdiction and sphere of influence.
According to the Philippine Atlas, BARMM has 4,404,288 people. It has 116 municipalities: Basilan, 11 municipalities; Lanao del Sur, 39; undivided Maguindanao, 36; Sulu, 19; and Tawi-Tawi, 11. (✓)