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COTABATO CITY — The Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE), through Acting Deputy Minister Atty. Bantuas M. Lucman, immediately visited a school in Cotabato City following reports of security concerns to personally assess the situation and ensure the safety and well-being of learners, teachers, and school personnel.
MBHTE, concurrently headed by Bangsamoro Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof A. Macacua since May 19 this year is one of the 15 major ministries of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Joining the Acting Deputy Minister during the visit was Concurrent Schools Division Superintendent Johnny G. Balawag of the Schools Division Office of Cotabato City, underscoring the Ministryโs unified and coordinated response in addressing the situation. Together, they coordinated with school officials and law enforcement authorities to receive updates and ensure that appropriate safety and security protocols were being implemented.
MBHTE remains in close coordination with the concerned authorities to help ensure the safety and security of learners, teachers, and school personnel.
At this time, the Ministry encourages everyone to rely only on verified information released through official government channels and to refrain from sharing unverified information that may cause unnecessary fear or confusion.
โThe safety and welfare of our learners, teachers, and school communities remain our highest priority. We will continue to work closely with our partner agencies to ensure that our schools remain safe places for learning,โ Lucman, the attorney general of the BARMM, said.
MBHTE likewise commends the prompt response of the school administrators, teachers, law enforcement agencies, and local government partners in implementing the necessary precautionary measures and maintaining the safety of the school community.
In relation with the report, the Ministry assured everyone that it remains committed to supporting all efforts that promote a safe, secure, and conducive learning environment for every Bangsamoro learner.
The Bangsamoro region, established in 2018 by the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) to implement the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), is made up of the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, and Tawi-Tawi, the cities of Cotabato, Lamitan, and Marawi, and the Special Geographic Area (SGA) with right municipalities.
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. Its component cities are Cotabato (the regional center and capital) in Maguindanao; Lamitan in Basilan; and Marawi in Lanao del Sur. (โ)