Featured image above shows the 5 signatories to the MOA forged by DepEd, CHED, TESDA, PRC, and MBHTE as they display copies of the landmark document for the establishment of the BECF. Seated in front, in no particular order, are Bangsamoro Chief Minister and MBHTE Concurrent Minister Abdulraof A. Macacua, DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara, TESDA Director General / Secretary Jose Francisco “Kiko” Benitez, PRC Chairperson Charito Zamora, and CHED Chairperson Shirley Agrupis. (Credit: BARMM Media Unit) 

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PASAY CITY — It appears there’s plenty of love for the Bangsamoro from the National Government as shown by its readiness to help raise the quality of education in the seven-year Mindanao region.

This apparent love is signified by a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) signed with the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).

A report from the MBHTE, one of the 15 primary ministries of the BARMM under the leadership of Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof A. Macacua, said the five public agencies formalized their landmark partnership through the MOA to establish the Bangsamoro Education Coordination Forum (BECF).

The formalization of the partnership was made during the launch on Tuesday, July 28, of the Education Commission (EDCOM) 2 Second Year Exhibit at the Senate of the Philippines, Pasay City, Metro Manila.

Chief Minister and MBHTE Concurrent Minister Macacua and DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara, TESDA Director General / Secretary Jose Francisco “Kiko” Benitez, PRC Chairperson Charito Zamora, and CHED Chairperson Shirley Agrupis signed the agreement.

The BECF reaffirmed the commitment of both the Bangsamoro and National Governments to strengthen policy coordination, institutional collaboration, and education governance across BARMM.

Bangsamoro education officials accompanied the Chief Minister, including Bangsamoro Attorney General and MBHTE Acting Deputy Minister Bantuas “Banjo” M. Lucman, and others.

The establishment of the BECF aligns with the plans and desire of BARMM Chief Minister and Regional Education Minister Macacua to put in place various measures to enhance the quality of education in the region since he assumed the MBHTE leadership in May this year.

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BECF, a “shared commitment to place every Bangsamoro child at the center of governance — BARMM Chief Minister Macacua

Established in January 2019 through the 2018 Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), the Bangsamoro region is comprised of the mainland and island provinces of Lanao del Sur, Maguindao del Norte, Basilan, and Tawi-Tawi; the cities of Cotabato, Lamitan, and Marawi; and the Special Geographic Area (SGA) with eight municipalities. The SGA, which is inside the territory of North Cotabato province, is under the jurisdiction and sphere of influence of the Bangsamoro Government by virtue of the two 2019 plebiscites.

The BECF serves as a formal mechanism for policy dialogue, coordination, and collaboration between the MBHTE and the National Government’s Education Sector. Through the forum, both institutions committed to harmonizing education policies, aligning programs and initiatives, addressing implementation concerns, and reinforcing education governance systems to improve outcomes for Bangsamoro learners.

Established in recognition of BARMM’s distinct governance framework under the BOL, the BARMM Charter, the BECF will provide a platform for regular consultations, joint planning, information sharing, and collaborative decision-making to ensure that education reforms are responsive to the evolving needs of learners, teachers, schools, and communities throughout the region.

Chief Minister Macacua, in his message at the signing event, emphasized that the agreement reflects a shared commitment to place every Bangsamoro child at the center of governance.

“Today, I sign this agreement in my capacity as Minister of the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education. But as the Interim Chief Minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, I commit the full force of this regional government to this cause,” he said.

He stressed that education must be pursued through a whole-of-government approach, underscoring that the responsibility of educating Bangsamoro children extends beyond a single institution.

“Education, as the old adage reminds us, that it takes a village to educate a child – and in the Bangsamoro, education cannot be the sole responsibility of one ministry alone; it must be a whole-of-government priority,” he added.

He likewise acknowledged the education challenges confronting the Bangsamoro, noting that meaningful reforms begin with an honest assessment of existing realities. He reaffirmed the Bangsamoro Government’s commitment to strengthening early childhood development and nutrition, addressing long-standing concerns on program recognition, accreditation, and licensure pathways, and aligning health, social protection, planning, infrastructure, and economic development sectors in support of quality education for every Bangsamoro learner.

More than a coordination mechanism, the BECF represents a lasting institutional partnership between the Bangsamoro and National Governments. It reinforces the shared commitment of both governments to work together in advancing quality, equitable, relevant, and culturally responsive education, ensuring that every Bangsamoro learner is provided with greater opportunities to succeed.

Serving as MBHTE witnesses during the signing are Acting Deputy Minister Banjo Lucman; Director General (DG) for Basic Education Abdullah P. Salik Jr.; DG for Higher Education Marjuni Maddi; DG for Technical Education and Skills Development Ruby Andong; and DG for Madaris Education Tahir Nalg.

The MBHTE is the biggest ministry of the BARMM, with more than 60,000 employees, including over 22,000 teaching personnel, for the entire region. — EDD K. USMAN from BARMM-MBHTE report)